Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced plans to move police and prison officers to a new government-managed health insurance scheme beginning April 1, 2026.

The change is expected to significantly expand healthcare access for officers serving in the National Police Service and the Kenya Prison Service across the country.

In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Murkomen said the government has been preparing for the transition to ensure officers continue receiving medical services without disruption as the new arrangement begins.

“We have put in place robust measures to ensure a seamless transition of the National Police Service and the Kenya Prison Service from private health providers to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund administered by SHA,” the statement reads.

Murkomen explained that the move will greatly increase the number of hospitals where officers and their families can receive treatment, making healthcare services easier to access nationwide.

“The switch, scheduled for 1st April, will be of great benefit to our officers, improving their access to quality healthcare from the previous 800 hospitals to 6,000 public, private, and faith-based facilities across the country,” the statement reads.

Murkomen also shared that government officials held a meeting to review how ready the transition process is before the new system begins operations.

“Received an update on NPS and KPS’s transition preparedness from SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi and NPS Principal Administrative Secretary/Accounting Officer Bernice Sialaal,” Murkomen stated.

He further noted that the discussions included officials from different government offices who are helping coordinate the rollout of the new medical cover for officers.

“Also present was the Director of Strategy Execution in the Office of the President, Brian Kiprono, among other officials,” the statement reads.

Murkomen has said the transition marks a significant change in how healthcare services are provided to members of the disciplined services. For years, officers depended on a limited number of private medical providers, which sometimes forced them to travel long distances to receive treatment.

Murkomen further explained that the shift to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund, administered by the Social Health Authority (SHA), is hoped to improve access to hospitals, reduce delays in treatment, and ensure officers and their families receive care closer to where they live or work.

The expansion to thousands of public, private, and faith-based health facilities across the country will help address previous gaps in coverage, especially in rural and remote areas where many officers are deployed.

Murkomen emphasised that the transition is part of ongoing government efforts to improve welfare for members of the disciplined services who play a critical role in maintaining security and protecting citizens.