Health officers serving in the Kenya Prisons Service and the National Police Service will be brought under the Social Health Authority from April 1, 2026, as the government continues to roll out reforms aimed at placing all Kenyans on a single public health system.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the transition is part of a presidential directive issued by President William Ruto to fast-track Universal Health Coverage and ensure no group is left outside the national health financing framework.
The CS said the move reflects the government’s commitment to building a fair and reliable healthcare system that guarantees access to quality services for every citizen, regardless of sector or occupation.
“This process is firmly anchored in the 5th Administration’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, which aims to onboard all Kenyans onto SHA, strengthen equity and efficiency in health financing, and guarantee affordable, sustainable, and quality healthcare for every citizen,” he said.
Duale spoke during a strategic engagement forum held in Bomet County that drew participation from unions, private health providers, faith-based organisations and development partners. The meeting was co-chaired by Bomet Governor Hillary Barchock.
During the session, the CS reported that 28.8 million people have already been enrolled under the Social Health Authority, marking a major milestone in the national registration drive.
A detailed performance update presented at the forum showed that all 158 public health facilities in Bomet County are now fully linked to digital health platforms. The County has also registered more than 610,000 residents under SHA, placing it second nationwide.
The update further showed that Bomet has attained 97 per cent coverage in both immunisation and sanitation, reflecting steady gains in key public health indicators.
Duale praised the County’s health reforms, noting that SHA registration has widened access to services for various groups, including teachers.
“Teachers registered under SHA can now access healthcare services at any accredited facility nationwide,” he said.
The CS also said the Ministry of Health plans to hold a consultative forum with key players to ensure all healthcare workers are fully empanelled under SHA. He acknowledged the role of health workers in delivering UHC and confirmed that UHC staff pay has been aligned with Salaries and Remuneration Commission guidelines.
Governor Barchock said the County Government will continue working closely with the Ministry to prevent misuse of the SHA system and safeguard public resources.
He also urged stronger training programmes for health workers, supported by SHA, and called for wider public awareness to help residents understand SHA registration and contribution payment processes.
