Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that over 29 million Kenyans have registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), marking a major milestone in the rollout of the country’s restructured universal health coverage framework.

Speaking through an X post dated January 29, 2026, Duale highlighted the scale of public uptake and the financial flows recorded since the programme’s implementation.

“Over 29 million Kenyans have registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA). To date, more than KSh 130 billion has been collected, with nearly KSh 90 billion already paid out, indicating a settlement rate of approximately 70%. This uptake has been achieved without any large-scale marketing campaign. The figures speak for themselves,” he stated.

Registration and financial performance

Duale said the registration figures mirror data he presented earlier before lawmakers during the 2026 Legislative Retreat held in Naivasha, Nakuru County. In his briefing, he told legislators that “over 29 million Kenyans are now registered with a collection of Ksh130.4 billion and Ksh93.4 billion has been disbursed since rollout.”

The cabinet secretary noted that the funds collected under SHA have been used to settle claims for healthcare services across the country, signalling what he described as a stable settlement rate since the authority became operational. The figures were shared as part of a broader update on health sector reforms currently being implemented by the government.

Digital systems

According to Duale, the SHA rollout has been supported by significant investments in digital health infrastructure aimed at improving efficiency and accountability.

“10,277 facilities [are] now onboarded to national digital health systems and 30,087 devices deployed nationwide, enabling real-time reporting from even the most remote health facilities and strengthening accountability and data-driven decision-making,” Duale stated.

The onboarding of facilities and deployment of devices is intended to support seamless claims processing, enhance transparency in service delivery, and ensure timely reporting from health institutions across all counties. The ministry has positioned digital integration as a key pillar in the ongoing health reforms.

Access to specialised care and workforce updates

Duale also highlighted expanded access to specialised healthcare through flexible contribution arrangements.

“As of this evening, 420,000 Kenyans have enrolled in SHA Lipa Pole Pole. They have paid a total of Ksh1.4 billion, and they are now accessing specialised treatment that was not available to them before,” he said.

He further acknowledged the role of frontline health workers in supporting the programme, citing the involvement of 107,000 Community Health Promoters.

Duale added that UHC staff have been remunerated in line with Salaries and Remuneration Commission guidelines since September 2025, describing this as a key step in stabilising the health workforce.