Ruto Says SHA Is Transforming Lives in Wajir, Garissa and Mandera
President William Ruto has announced that approximately 800,000 residents from Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera counties have successfully registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), describing the achievement as one of the most significant expansions of healthcare inclusion in Kenya since independence.
Speaking during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held in Wajir County, the President revealed that the three North Eastern counties account for a substantial portion of the 31.5 million Kenyans who have so far enrolled in the national health programme. He said the growing registration numbers demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring healthcare services reach every corner of the country, including regions that have historically faced challenges in accessing quality medical care.
“Today, of the 31.5 million Kenyans registered with the Social Health Authority, about 800,000 are residents of Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera counties, representing one of the most significant expansions of healthcare inclusion since independence,” Ruto said during the national celebrations.
The President noted that the enrollment figures mark a major milestone in efforts to bridge healthcare inequalities that have existed for decades in parts of Northern Kenya. He observed that many families in the region previously struggled to access healthcare services due to inadequate infrastructure, long travel distances to medical facilities, and financial barriers that prevented them from seeking treatment when needed.
According to Ruto, the government’s healthcare reforms are designed to ensure that every Kenyan, regardless of where they live, can access affordable and quality healthcare services. He said the success of SHA registration in Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera demonstrates increasing public confidence in the programme and reflects the government’s determination to leave no region behind in the delivery of essential services.
The President also highlighted ongoing investments in healthcare infrastructure across the country, including the construction and upgrading of medical facilities, recruitment of healthcare workers, and expansion of digital health systems aimed at improving service delivery. He emphasized that universal health coverage remains one of the administration’s key priorities.
The Social Health Authority was introduced as part of Kenya’s broader healthcare reforms aimed at replacing the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and expanding access to healthcare services for millions of citizens. Government officials maintain that the programme will reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and provide greater financial protection for families seeking treatment.
The announcement formed part of a broader address during the Madaraka Day celebrations, where the President highlighted various development projects and government achievements in the North Eastern region. He praised residents of Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera for embracing the healthcare programme and encouraged more Kenyans to register in order to benefit from the available services.
As enrollment continues to rise nationwide, the government views the SHA programme as a critical pillar in its efforts to transform Kenya’s healthcare sector and achieve universal health coverage. With more than 31.5 million registrations already recorded, authorities say the focus now remains on improving service delivery and ensuring that registered members can access quality healthcare whenever they need it.
