A total of 530 vulnerable Kenyans are set to receive 12 months of free health coverage under the Social Health Authority (SHA) Sponsored Programmes.
The beneficiaries are residents of Laikipia East Constituency, where the sponsorship was supported by MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, the NG-CDF Committee, and constituency leadership.
In a notice on August 12, the authority said the beneficiaries were enrolled through sponsorship from Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri Festus, the NG-CDF Committee, and constituency leadership.
The sponsorship is valued at Ksh3,091,483, with each beneficiary receiving a year-long SHA cover.
“Each beneficiary will receive 12 months of SHA health coverage, enabling them to access the full scope of benefits under the gazetted SHA tariffs.This support will shield vulnerable households from catastrophic healthcare costs and ensure they can seek quality healthcare without financial hardship,” stated SHA.
SHA said the sponsored households will receive healthcare services covered under the authority’s gazetted tariffs for the entire 12-month membership period.
The authority added that the programme is intended to assist vulnerable residents who may struggle to afford healthcare due to financial constraints.
The support is aimed at protecting vulnerable families from being pushed into financial hardship by medical expenses while allowing them to seek treatment when necessary.
The authority also commended the Laikipia East leadership and NG-CDF Committee for supporting the enrolment of the 530 beneficiaries into the sponsored programme.
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How Vulnerable Households Are Identified for Sponsorship
The government-funded SHA Sponsorship Programme does not require individuals to apply directly for sponsorship.
Instead, vulnerable households are identified through a community-based process led by Community Health Promoters (CHPs). The CHPs identify and map households considered extremely poor or vulnerable before the details are subjected to government verification.
Households that qualify are subsequently enrolled in the sponsored programme.
However, SHA requires households to have their details registered with the authority to access its services.
Kenyans who have not registered can do so by dialing *147# on their mobile phones and following the registration prompts. Registration can also be completed through the authority’s pre-registration portal.
Alternatively, individuals can visit a Huduma Centre or a public health facility to complete the registration process in person.
SHA Registers 32 Million Kenyans
The latest sponsorship comes as SHA continues to expand coverage across the country.
SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi said 32 million Kenyans had registered under the authority, with Ksh203.7 billion collected and Ksh178.4 billion paid to healthcare providers through four funds over the past 19 months.
Also Read: SHA Explains When Children Above 18 Still Qualify as Dependants
Speaking during a Media Town Hall on Kenya’s health sector, Mwangangi highlighted the role of primary healthcare in reducing the cost of accessing medical services.
She said more than 10 million Kenyans had accessed primary healthcare services without making payments at Level Two and Level Three facilities.
The Primary Health Care (PHC) Fund, which is financed directly by the National Treasury, has received Ksh27 billion, compared with Ksh1.8 billion allocated under the previous system. The authority has paid Ksh23 billion from the fund to healthcare providers.
Mwangangi said investment in primary healthcare is important because it addresses a significant share of the country’s disease burden and allows registered Kenyans to access treatment closer to their communities.
Meanwhile, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which is financed through monthly contributions from Kenyans, has collected Ksh151 billion since its establishment in October 2024.
The fund has paid Ksh134.7 billion to healthcare providers during the period.
Mwangangi maintained that continued contributions are essential to the sustainability of SHIF, noting that the fund is designed around members contributing to access its benefits.
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