President William Ruto has announced the nationwide rollout of biometric registration for patients seeking services under the Social Health Authority (SHA), a key reform aimed at eliminating fraud in Kenya's healthcare system.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during a meeting with leaders from Tharaka-Nithi County, the President said the new system will replace the SMS-based patient identification method, which had become prone to abuse.
“Today, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale launched biometric registration at Level 4, 5, and 6 hospitals to ensure accurate patient identification and to root out fraudulent claims that have plagued our health sector for too long,” Ruto said.
He added that biometric registration for lower-level facilities-Levels 2 and 3-will follow in due course. “This move will make it impossible for anyone to steal from the system again,” he emphasized.
The President also warned hospitals against charging outpatients for primary healthcare services, noting that the National Government has allocated KSh13 billion to cover such services in dispensaries, health centres, and sub-county hospitals under SHA.
“These facilities are fully funded by SHA, and no patient should be charged for outpatient care,” he said.
Additionally, KSh8 billion has been earmarked for the Emergency and Critical Care Fund to enhance response to urgent medical needs.
Ruto assured Kenyans that the ongoing health reforms are designed to provide equitable access to healthcare for all, regardless of social or economic status. He criticized the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), saying it was undermined by corruption and inefficiency.
“NHIF collapsed because cartels ran the system. Some hospitals had more accountants than healthcare workers-just to manufacture fraudulent claims,” he said. In contrast, SHA has already paid out KSh52 billion since its launch in October 2024, compared to NHIF’s annual average of KSh20 billion.
The President praised Tharaka-Nithi County’s efforts in SHA registration, with over 201,000 residents-52% of the county’s population—already signed up.
On education, Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to affordability and quality. He noted that university fees have been reduced by 15–40%, while funding has been increased from KSh45 billion to KSh85 billion.
Turning to housing, the President defended the Affordable Housing Programme, stating that by 2050, half of Kenya's population will live in urban areas. "If we don’t prepare, people will continue living in slums," he warned. Currently, 170,000 affordable housing units are under construction, providing jobs for over 600,000 people.
He also revealed that procurement for the construction of the long-delayed Nithi Bridge would begin the next day. “It will cost KSh7 billion, but we must build it to save lives,” he said, promising completion before the 2027 general election.
In infrastructure and development, Ruto announced ongoing negotiations with the Africa Development Bank for KSh40 billion to build dams in the county. The government is also investing KSh1.4 billion in water and sanitation projects and has raised road development funding from KSh400 million to KSh1.4 billion for Tharaka-Nithi.
Governor Muthomi Njuki lauded the health reforms and praised the President for the timely release of funds to counties. He affirmed that SHA is working and urged more citizens to register.
“Our people, including those from poor backgrounds, are now accessing healthcare services. Ignore the critics-SHA is delivering results,” Njuki said.
The event was attended by MPs, MCAs, and other grassroots leaders.
