Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has today urged the Ministry of Health to offer Social Health Authority (SHA) services to the people once the county governments have paid money to the Ministry.
While speaking at the State House during the handing over of Disease Surveillance Vehicles by the president, Barasa emphasized the need for the County and National Governments to coordinate swiftly to offer Health services to the people.
”What I want to request from the Ministry of Health led by Aden Duale is that once counties make payments for SHA, let our people get the services required,” stated Barasa.
In his speech in front of President Ruto, Governor Barasa assured the president that as counties, they are going to collaborate with the national government on matters of health.
Despite health being a devolved function, Kakamega governor said that there are so many areas of intervention that they are going to work together to make sure they deliver to the people.
“There are many areas of collaboration on matters of SHA. I want to assure you that as governors we have taken the forefront just to make sure that we deliver,” He added
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This comes months after former Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services Hilary Kimtai announced that the government had launched Multi-Sectoral Steering Committees to oversee and streamline the implementation of Social Health Authority (SHA) program at the county level.
Health CS Aden Duale, in his speech, also said that as Ministry, they’re in talk with the National Treasury and the council of governors to find an amicable solution on Universal Health Coverage to civil and health workers who face challenges on 9th of every month when systems go off and yet they’re attending to patients.
In addition, President Ruto advised governors to use the vehicles that were handed over to them by the President for surveillance, so that when there is an incident somewhere, the vehicles can be of great help.
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The vehicles were delivered to strengthen public health systems and grassroots disease surveillance and enhance emergency response through strategic investment and collaboration.
“These vehicles not only enhance logistical capacities but also symbolize national government commitment in strengthening public health systems and disease surveillance infrastructure at the grassroot in align with our bottom-up economic agenda” Ruto said
Counties leading in SHA Registration
As of early 2025, SHA registration has seen significant progress, with over 19.3 million Kenyans enrolled. However, county-level disparities persist, with some regions leading in registration numbers while others lag behind. Among the leading counties are Mombasa, Bomet, Nyeri and Kiambu
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