Ruto admits SHA rollout glitches, promises end to co-payments for teachers
By Mustafa Juma, May 1, 2026President William Ruto has acknowledged serious operational challenges in the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Chavakali High School on Friday, May 1, 2026, Ruto promised urgent reforms following mounting pressure from teachers and public servants who had threatened industrial action over controversial co-payment demands before reaching an agreement with the government, which averted the plan.
The Head of State conceded that the transition to the new healthcare system had not been seamless, attributing the crisis to early-stage implementation measures that created unintended disruptions in service delivery.
“Regarding healthcare, it is equally important to acknowledge that the concerns we have recently seen from teachers and other public servants arise not from the rejection of SHA but from the transitional operational challenges,” Ruto said.
The President’s remarks come against the backdrop of growing discontent among teachers, who had raised alarm over being asked to make out-of-pocket payments despite being covered under the new scheme.
The issue had triggered threats of a nationwide strike, putting the government under pressure to respond.
Ruto admitted that initial cost-control mechanisms introduced to protect the financial sustainability of the fund had backfired.
“In the early stages, measures introduced to safeguard the financial sustainability of the fund, such as temporary outpatient camps, created unintended friction. In some cases, this led to unacceptable practices by a few facilities, including demands for co-payment or even outright denial of service,” he said.
In a move aimed at restoring confidence, the President announced that the government has already begun reversing some of the policies blamed for the chaos in hospitals.
Withdrawal of restrictive tariff mechanisms
“However, let me assure all workers, especially teachers and public officials, that those challenges are being decisively addressed. The government has already withdrawn the restrictive tariff mechanisms and initiated a structured nationwide engagement with healthcare providers,” Ruto stated.
According to the President, ongoing negotiations with healthcare providers are expected to produce new agreements that will eliminate the need for co-payments and streamline access to services.
“These negotiations will culminate in updated agreements that guarantee a seamless walk-in, walk-out co-payment experience for all teachers and public officers,” he added.
SHA system under scrutiny
The SHA programme has been under intense scrutiny since its rollout, with patients reporting confusion, delays, and in some cases outright denial of treatment.
Healthcare stakeholders have pointed to gaps in communication, unclear reimbursement structures, and delayed payments to facilities as some of the key issues undermining the system’s effectiveness.
The President’s pledge to eliminate co-payments is likely to be closely watched, particularly by unions representing teachers and other public sector workers who have demanded immediate and tangible reforms.