An estimated 618,184 residents in Kajiado County have registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), marking a major milestone in the county’s push for universal healthcare.
Speaking during the State of the County Address at the Kajiado County Assembly, Governor Joseph Ole Lenku said the figure means that more than half of the county’s population could now access healthcare without the burden of out-of-pocket expenses.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that every household, mother, worker, and child is registered under SHA and urged Members of the County Assembly to actively support registration efforts in their wards.
“Good health to our people is of paramount importance. Health remains at the very heart of our development journey, because a healthy population is the foundation upon which prosperity is built,” he said.
The governor highlighted the steady growth of the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF), established in 2021, as evidence that more residents were seeking services in public health facilities.
In the last financial year, the fund collected Sh440 million, and the county now targets Sh600 million this year, with a significant portion expected from SHA reimbursements.
Governor Lenku noted that through the National Equipment Service Programme, the county has acquired a fully operational CT scan machine serving the southern region of Oloitokitok, significantly improving diagnostic services.
He added that through partnerships, the county has upgraded Oloitokitok Sub-County Hospital and several health facilities, including Imurtot, Ng’atataek, Oltepesi, and Elang’ata Enkima.
Lenku also revealed that Taifa Care digital platforms were now operational across county facilities, while the Electronic Community Health Information System (ECHIS) is strengthening household registration and real-time reporting.
Additionally, the county has recruited 300 new health workers, enhanced community health promotion, and improved access to essential medicines.
At the national level, more than 29 million citizens in Kenya had registered under SHA by January 2026 reflecting growing uptake of the new health insurance system.
The governor expressed confidence that continued collaboration between the county government, legislators, and communities would help Kajiado achieve full SHA coverage in the coming years.
by Diana Meneto
