President William Ruto has expressed confidence that the challenges facing the recently launched Social Health Authority (SHA), now rebranded as Taifa Care, will be addressed promptly.
The President emphasized the bold ambition of the program and assured Kenyans of improved healthcare accessibility in the near future.
President Ruto’s Optimism on Taifa Care’s Progress
Speaking at the 11th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto acknowledged the technological and operational issues that have arisen since the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA in October. Despite these challenges, he maintained that the program’s scale and ambition are crucial for achieving universal healthcare for all Kenyans.
“Taifa Care is overcoming early hurdles to deliver on its promise of ensuring every citizen, regardless of their financial status, has access to quality and affordable healthcare,” the President stated. He added that the government remains committed to resolving the current obstacles swiftly.
Criticism and Government Defense
SHA has faced criticism for its limited benefits and complaints from Kenyans struggling to access healthcare during the transition. Many have raised concerns over the program’s operational readiness and the impact on service delivery.
Despite these concerns, President Ruto and Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa have urged patience, defending Taifa Care as a transformative initiative that requires time to stabilize.
Contributions and Enrollment
Under SHA, all Kenyans are required to contribute 2.75% of their income, with a minimum payment of Ksh. 300. During his November 21 State of the Nation address, President Ruto revealed that over 15 million Kenyans have already enrolled in the scheme, highlighting its significant uptake and potential impact.
The Ambition Behind Taifa Care
President Ruto underscored the unprecedented nature of Taifa Care, describing it as a bold step toward achieving universal healthcare. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the program delivers on its promise of equitable and affordable healthcare access for all Kenyans.
“The scale, boldness, and ambition of Taifa Care are unmatched, and we are confident that the current challenges will be resolved soon,” he said.
