Touch "the chameleon" in SHA to reform Kenya's healthcare system

Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga addressing during the launch of the Kenya National Public Health Institute(KNPHI) at KICC Nairobi on May 8, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

“Kimbu kiendaa kavola ni kwaa muingi.” A chameleon moves slowly because no one is chasing it. However, touch its tail, and you’ll be shocked at how fast it bolts! This Kamba proverb reflects the story of Kenya’s public healthcare reform.

For years, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) crawled along, burdened by scandals, inefficiencies, and a growing trust deficit. Then came the call for change, and the government, like the startled chameleon, finally sprang into action. The result? The Social Health Authority (SHA).

Healthcare in Kenya has long been a national concern. From unaffordable bills to inaccessible care, it often felt like a matter of when, not if, you would raise money to save a loved one. Successive governments pledged reforms, but progress remained painfully slow until now.

SHA is starting to tell a different story. I recently witnessed this shift firsthand. A relative’s hospital bill of Sh1.1 million was largely covered through the Kenya Association of Retired Officers. But the real surprise? SHA contributed Sh335,000, reducing the family’s burden to just Sh96,000. That’s not theory. That’s transformation.

And it’s not an isolated case. According to Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, more than 22.6 million Kenyans had registered under SHA by May 2025, with 775,000 new registrations recorded in April alone. Over 1.2 million beneficiaries have already accessed services, with claims worth Sh45 billion processed. These are not projections; they are results.

One of the biggest wins is revitalisation of Linda Mama, a lifeline for pregnant women. The Ministry of Health now provides Sh10,000 for normal deliveries and Sh30,000 for Caesarean sections. In a country where giving birth can lead to financial ruin, this represents a significant leap forward.

I appreciate that SHA goes beyond just covering costs; it also promotes smart healthcare. A new Health Information Exchange system allows patient records to flow seamlessly between facilities.

Unbelievably, there will be no more duplicate tests or guesswork, and this is what dignity through efficiency looks like.

Some faith-based hospitals had suspended services due to delayed reimbursements, but they are now happily back. Their frustrations were understandable, especially for institutions long trusted to serve the underserved. However, they must also address their internal bottlenecks, some of which are concerning and unbecoming of the values they represent.

To restore public trust and ensure seamless care, the government must urgently and transparently resolve all outstanding issues, no matter how small, because in the eyes of justice and humanity, no concern is trivial and no life is dispensable.

Honestly, we also need to look inward. Some Kenyans dismiss public programmes too quickly without giving them a fair chance. Many of us fail to register or expect miracles from private hospitals that we cannot afford, then we blame the system. SHA is making strides.

It utilises a means-testing approach to assess one’s ability to pay, which is transformative for fairness and targeting.

But Wakenya ni nani? On a light note, I wouldn’t be surprised if some people register using their broke uncle’s phone number to appear less capable. Haki, we are our own loopholes!

While systems improve, awareness continues to be the missing link. Many Kenyans still don’t understand how SHA works or how to join it. Even the best reforms risk falling flat without ongoing public education and grassroots outreach. A powerful system must also be understood, as only informed citizens can drive lasting change.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and his team deserve credit for this momentum. However, this pace must be maintained. To SHA implementers, maintain the momentum. To Kenyans, our health is too precious for politics. Demand accountability, but above all, contribute to the solution.

The chameleon’s tail has been touched, and now it’s zooming like it heard that Unga is going for fifty bob! Let’s not be the potholes that slow it down. This is our moment. Think green. Act green!