Ruto Defends Health Reforms, Pledges Full SHA Cover for Community Health Promoters
News Updated: 25 July 2026 17:04 EAT
Photo courtesy: President William Samoei Ruto speaking during the Nairobi County Community Health Promoters meeting at the State House, Nairobi County
President William Samoei Ruto welcomed thousands of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to State House, Nairobi, emphasizing that Kenya has built one of Africa’s strongest community health systems. He noted that through visionary leadership and collaboration between the national and county governments, the country has deliberately shifted its health model from treating illness in hospitals to preventing it at the household level.
Highlighting the scale of the program since its official launch in October 2023, President Ruto stated that about 9.4 million households—representing over 30 million Kenyans—are now registered on the Electronic Community Health Information System (e-CHIS). He emphasized that CHPs are the first point of contact for families long before patients ever reach a dispensary or hospital.
Focusing on the capital, President Ruto revealed that Nairobi County has 7,680 equipped CHPs who have registered 810,590 households on e-CHIS, covering 54 percent of the county's target. He added that these health promoters have revisited over 766,000 homes for routine follow-up care.
The President shared key primary healthcare outcomes, disclosing that Nairobi CHPs have conducted nearly 2.7 million diabetes screenings for close to 940,000 people, referring nearly 30,000 individuals for further medical management. Additionally, CHPs executed 2.16 million hypertension screenings for over 743,000 residents, referring more than 50,000 cases to health facilities.
Beyond adult screenings, CHPs evaluated 1.13 million children under the age of five for conditions including malnutrition, diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia. President Ruto remarked,
"Those are not mere statistics. Those are diseases caught early, mothers guided to safe deliveries, and children protected before illness takes hold".
Addressing financial support, the Head of State acknowledged the joint efforts between levels of government to resource the frontline workers. He commended Nairobi County for matching national government funding and fulfilling its share of monthly CHP stipends through June.
In a major policy announcement, President Ruto directed that all 107,000 Community Health Promoters nationwide be fully enrolled under the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical insurance. He declared that the national government will provide KSh 390 million, with county governments contributing an equal amount to ensure complete health coverage for CHPs and their families.
Accepting a KSh 30,967,200 check presented by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja toward the insurance fund, President Ruto confirmed that the national government would match the payment. He urged all governors to follow Nairobi's lead and extend comprehensive medical cover to health promoters across all 47 counties.
Responding to requests regarding operational gear, President Ruto instructed Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to deliver brand-new CHP kits to every promoter nationwide within 90 days. He also committed to replacing outdated smartphones to ensure seamless digital data collection and household reporting.
Addressing ongoing discussions surrounding stipends, President Ruto promised to review CHP compensation in consultation with county leadership. He reassured the promoters:
"Mimi najua mnafanya kazi ya muhimu... Nitaenda niipangie alafu nitawatangazia vile tutafanya" ("I know you do very important work... I will plan for it and announce how we will move forward").
Taking on critics of the new health framework, President Ruto challenged political opponents who suggest reverting to the legacy National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). He asserted that the transition to SHA represents a fundamental, evidence-based upgrade designed to serve every Kenyan equitably.
To demonstrate the practical impact of SHA funding, President Ruto called a health practitioner from Pangani Hospital to the podium to share field data. The representative verified that monthly hospital fund disbursements had increased from under KSh 10,000 under NHIF to between KSh 1.2 million and KSh 1.5 million under SHA, allowing the facility to serve over 100 patients daily compared to 10 previously.
Contrasting the performance of the two schemes, President Ruto highlighted that overall national facility allocations have surged. He pointed out that while NHIF disbursed KSh 5.6 billion every three months, SHA currently releases KSh 12 billion per month to medical facilities nationwide.
The President noted that total enrollment under SHA has expanded dramatically to 32 million Kenyans, compared to just 8 million citizens enrolled under the former NHIF framework. He affirmed, "Wiki hii kufikia Jumatatu tutakuwa tumelipa bilioni 12 ya mwezi huu... In one month we are paying 12 billion shillings. NHIF used to pay 5 billion every three months. It is a world of difference".
Addressing political claims regarding housing and urban development, President Ruto defended his administration's social programs. He challenged opponents demanding an end to affordable housing projects, asking whether keeping citizens in informal settlements without basic sanitation or electricity served the nation's best interests.
Reaffirming his broad agenda, President Ruto insisted that key promises made in his manifesto are being fulfilled systematically. He noted that transformational progress is actively taking shape across agriculture, basic education, healthcare, and youth employment.
The President announced that UHC staff previously hired on short-term contracts are being transitioned into Permanent and Pensionable (PNP) terms. He called on county governments to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to finalize the formal absorption of these health workers.
Regarding hospital infrastructure, President Ruto announced that over KSh 10 billion worth of modern medical equipment has been delivered to health facilities across the country. He noted that under new arrangements, counties only pay for equipment upon actual usage, ensuring efficient service delivery without upfront financial burdens.
President Ruto further revealed that the government has allocated KSh 9.8 billion this financial year to fund medical interns and trainees across various healthcare sectors, ensuring seamless operations across tier-2 and tier-3 facilities.
Focusing on health sector funding in the capital, President Ruto disclosed that the national government has dispatched KSh 170 billion to health facilities countrywide through SHA over the last 18 months, with Nairobi County receiving a lion’s share of KSh 32 billion.
Closing his address, President Ruto thanked Members of Parliament for passing critical health legislation and budget appropriations. He concluded: "We must speak the truth, we must leave politics aside. Our nation is changing, health is changing... We are going to make sure no Kenyan is left behind".
Tags: Article Community Health Promoters Edit Editor's Pick Editors choice News Article President William Ruto Signs Signs Media Kenya Limited Signsmedia Signstv Signstvkenya Uda UDA Uda Party William Ruto William Samoei Ruto
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD