The government will move police and prison officers onto a new government-managed health insurance scheme starting April 1, 2026, aiming to widen access to medical services for members of the disciplined services. The move, announced by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, will see officers transition from limited private providers to a scheme run by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, March 11, Murkomen said preparations for the shift are already underway to ensure that officers continue receiving healthcare without disruption.
“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,” he said.
The change will expand the number of hospitals accessible to officers and their families from the previous 800 facilities to 6,000 public, private, and faith-based hospitals across the country. Murkomen said this expansion will make medical care easier to access for officers, especially those stationed in remote areas.
“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.
Ahead of the rollout, Murkomen held discussions with SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi and NPS Principal Administrative Secretary and Accounting Officer Bernice Sialaal to assess readiness for the transition. The meeting also included officials from different government offices, including the Director of Strategy Execution in the Office of the President, Brian Kiprono, who are coordinating the rollout.
“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.
According to Murkomen, the move marks a major improvement in healthcare provision for disciplined services, who previously relied on a small network of private providers. Officers often had to travel long distances to access care, particularly in rural postings.
He added that the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund will help reduce treatment delays, allow care closer to where officers live and work, and close coverage gaps, particularly in underserved regions.
Murkomen said the initiative forms part of broader government efforts to improve the welfare of police and prison officers, who play a critical role in maintaining security and protecting citizens.
