The Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors (CoG) have agreed to jointly identify and support indigent Kenyans under the Social Health Insurance (SHI) Act, 2023, as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare for the most vulnerable.

In an official document signed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and CoG Vice Chairperson Mutahi Kahiga during a follow-up consultative meeting held on April 24, 2025, the two leaders announced key resolutions to fast-track the implementation of the SHA.

The meeting focused on aligning the national and county governments in preparation for the rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across the country. One of the major outcomes was the decision that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the CoG and the state department of social protection, will develop standardised guidelines for the identification and funding of indigents.

According to the two leaders, these guidelines are expected by April 28, 2025, to allow counties to integrate the provisions into their annual budgets and work plans.

“On the implementation of the Social Health Insurance (SHI) Act, 2023, the Ministry of Health to give standardised guidelines for the payment of indigents by 28th April 2025 in order to enable Counties to factor in their annual plans and budgets for the upcoming financial year,” the document reads in part.

“The indigents to be identified jointly by the MOH, COG and state department of social protection and paid for jointly by the two levels of government.”

Under the new framework, indigent individuals, those unable to pay for healthcare, will be jointly funded by both the national and county governments. This coordinated effort aims to ensure equitable access to health services for all Kenyans, regardless of economic status.

According to Duale and Kahiga, health service delivery is the largest devolved function; it calls for strong collaboration and partnerships to ensure all Kenyans access quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare.

“Health service delivery is the largest of the devolved functions. We therefore have an immense responsibility on our shoulders which requires wide consultations, collaborations and partnerships for us to meet our common objective of delivering quality, affordable and accessible healthcare to every Kenyan,” the document reads in part.

The resolution marks a significant step in operationalising the SHI Act and achieving the government’s goal of inclusive and sustainable healthcare financing.

𝐂𝐒 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐇𝐂 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬

Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale today joined a high-level consultative meeting with the Council of Governors, chaired by Tharaka Nithi… pic.twitter.com/ZQqCdLZLiT

— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) April 24, 2025