Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that under the new Social Health Authority (SHA), individuals can now register up to four wives and an unlimited number of children for health coverage, provided they can prove dependency.
Speaking as the chief guest at a fundraising event for Harhosa Mixed Day Secondary School at Moyale Baraza Park, Duale emphasized that the SHA is a major shift toward inclusive healthcare. Unlike the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which largely catered to formally employed Kenyans, the SHA is designed to cover all citizens regardless of their employment status.
”Sisi tumefunga NHIF kwa sababu ilikuwa na ukora. NHF ilikuwa inasaidia kwa mia watu ishirini tena wale ambao wanachukua mishahara. Hii bima ya Wakenya wote, bila kubagua yule ambaye anafanya kazi na yule ambaye hafanyi; yule ambaye ni tajiri na yule ni maskini.” said Duale.
Duale further criticized those opposing the new system, accusing them of being part of cartels that had benefitted from fraudulent claims under NHIF. He maintained that the SHA will offer comprehensive and fair healthcare access for every Kenyan, especially marginalized communities.
Duale stated, ”Wale ambao wanapinga SHA ni wale matapeli, Tumegundua ya kwamba kuna hospitali nyingine wanasema wako Moyale lakini tukituma madaktari hawako Moyale na wanachukua pesa ya NHIF, hawa ndio wanapinga kwa sababu walikuwa wanachukua pes bure.”
In his address, Duale also called on pastoralist communities to rally behind President William Ruto in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Several leaders were in attendance, including Marsabit’s first Governor and former Treasury CS Amb. Ukur Yatani, North Horr MP Hon. Adhe Wario, among other dignitaries.
