05/05/2026
The right to health is a fundamental human right. Yet, access to quality and affordable healthcare remains one of the biggest concerns for many Kenyans today.
The transition from National Health Insurance Fund to the Social Health Authority was a bold and necessary step, aimed at addressing inefficiencies, mismanagement, and systemic challenges that had long affected service delivery. The intention was clear: build a more transparent, inclusive, and effective health financing system.
However, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
Despite consistent contributions from civil servants, the private sector, and self-employed individuals, many citizens continue to experience delays, limited coverage, and in some cases, complete inability to access essential medical services. Even more concerning is the emerging situation where private insurance access is increasingly tied to SHA registration raising serious questions about equity, choice, and system readiness.
This brings us to critical questions that cannot be ignored:
# Where exactly are the contributions being directed?
# Who is accountable for managing these funds?
# Why is service delivery not matching the level of public contribution and expectation?
Healthcare reform is not just about policy shifts it is about people’s lives. Transparency, accountability, and efficiency must be at the center of this transformation.
Kenyans deserve a system that works.
