Ruto hails Vihiga for leading in SHA registration drive
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 4, 2025President William Ruto has confirmed that registrations under the Social Health Authority (SHA) have sharply increased in Vihiga County compared to the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Speaking at the Nyang’ori PAG Church Centenary in Vihiga County on Saturday, October 4, Ruto noted that 260,000 people out of Vihiga’s 590,000 residents have registered with SHA, representing 44 per cent coverage. He contrasted this with NHIF numbers in the county, which stood at fewer than 20,000 before the changes.
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“Watu ambao wamejiandikisha kwa SHA ni watu 260,000, in Vihiga county, kati ya watu 590,000. We are at 44 per cent, registration of people in Vihiga. Siku ile ya NHIF Vihiga haikukuwa na watu 20,000. Leo ni 260,000. Iko tofauti ama hakuna tofauti. Ata kama wewe haujui kufanya hesabu. 20,000 na 260,000, utachanganyikiwa usijue gani ni gani?” he told the gathering.
The President explained that the government had channelled resources to county, mission, private and church hospitals to ensure patients can be treated under SHA.
“Tumetoa pesa kama serikali ile hospitali ya county, hospitali ya mission, ama ya makanisa, ama private, sasa wanaweza kupata malipo yao kupitia kwa PHC ama kwa SHIF. Wewe mwananchi, ukishajiandikisha kwa SHA, ata kama ujalipa chochote, kujiadikisha peke yake, wewe unaenda hospitali kwa ile inaitwa outpatient unapiga foleni, unaona daktari, unapatiwa dawa ama udungwe sindano, na utoke hapo uende nyumbani bila ya kuulizwa pesa yoyote,” he said.
While defending the reforms, Ruto linked the expansion of SHA to his broader agenda of tackling hunger, creating jobs, and providing access to healthcare.
Fraud cases cloud rollout
The rollout, however, comes at a time when the scheme is under scrutiny following multiple reports of fraud. On Friday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations confirmed the arrest of five people over fraudulent and non-compliant healthcare files submitted by SHA and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council. The arrests followed the receipt of 1,188 files, with more suspects expected to face charges.
The Ministry of Health has also suspended several health facilities across the country for defrauding the authority through false claims. Health CS Aden Duale said the action was meant to protect public resources and restore confidence in the new system.