President William Ruto has expressed frustration over the slow uptake of the Social Health Authority (SHA) among Kenyans.

Speaking at the 60 Years of AIC Loglogo celebration in Marsabit County on November 16, 2025, Ruto said despite repeated appeals, many citizens remain resistant, especially in remote areas. “Unajua mimi nasumbuka sana na hawa waKenya, unawaamjbia maneno unadhani wamesikia kumbe hawajasikia,” he noted, emphasising the difficulty of driving awareness. “Ndio unaona mimi narudia, nimesema kila mtu ajiandikishe,” he added, underscoring his push for universal registration.

Ruto highlighted that SHA registration is essential for effective healthcare planning. “Ukijiandikisha inatusaidia kujua wananchi ni wangapi wa hiyo hosipitali ndio tupange madaktari wa kutosha, madawa za kutosha na equipment ya kutosha,” he said. He assured residents that the scheme would ease access to services. “Ukijiandikisha kwa SHA kesho ukienda hospitali yoyote, utaenda utibiwe bure, pesa mimi nitaulizwa nilipe na huyu governor.”

Also watch: “The people who are complaining about SHA are the people who have been stealing from us” – Ruto.

SHA expands benefits as government seeks broader trust

The push for registration comes as SHA works to expand its benefits package. On November 5, 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP) had been asked to increase the oncology package limit to Ksh1 million per beneficiary. The current package covers up to Ksh550,000, drawn from the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF).

Duale reported that 33,101 patients have benefited so far, with Ksh5.8 billion in claims paid and Ksh774.6 million pending. A total of 140 facilities are contracted to offer cancer services under SHA.

However, implementation challenges persist. Advocate Ndegwa Njiru shared a recent experience where a Nairobi hospital declined to accept his SHA cover.

“Contrary to what Kasongo has been lying to innocent Kenyans about SHA and bragging about how you can walk into any facility and get your treatment,” he said, recounting that his consultation ended when he mentioned the cover.

Mixed outcomes

Ruto cited Vihiga County as an example of progress, noting that registrations had risen from under 20,000 under NHIF to 260,000 out of 590,000 residents.

“Watu ambao wamejiandikisha kwa SHA ni watu 260,000, in Vihiga county, kati ya watu 590,000. We are at 44 per cent,” he said. “Iko tofauti ama hakuna tofauti. Ata kama wewe haujui kufanya hesabu. 20,000 na 260,000, utachanganyikiwa usijue gani ni gani?”

The rollout has also faced fraud-related setbacks. Five arrests have been made over non-compliant files, while several health facilities have been suspended for filing false claims. Duale said these measures were necessary to protect public funds and ensure accountability as the government works to strengthen confidence in the scheme.