A group of residents from Mathioya Sub-County who have benefited from the Social Health Authority (SHA) health insurance scheme have launched a grassroots campaign to encourage more households to register under the national programme.
The beneficiaries, who met at Kiru ACK Church on Saturday, shared testimonies of how SHA had enabled them to access costly medical treatment without plunging their families into financial distress. They said the scheme had shielded them from the burden of harambees and high out-of-pocket payments that often accompany serious illnesses.
Kairu Njiani narrated how SHA paid for his leg surgery after he was diagnosed with arthritis. The procedure, carried out at a Nairobi hospital, cost about Sh380,000.
“SHA paid for my leg surgery due to arthritis. I would not have managed to raise that amount on my own,” he said, urging residents to enrol in the scheme before illness strikes.
Another beneficiary, Jackson, said he suffered severe back problems that required specialised treatment costing Sh400,000. He explained that without SHA support, he would still be living in pain due to lack of funds.
“I could not afford to pay that money out of pocket. Without SHA, I would still be in pain,” he said.
Mary Mwangi also shared her experience, noting that the insurance scheme cleared her hospital bill in full, sparing her family the embarrassment and stress of organising a public fundraiser. She appealed to residents to register in good time to avoid similar financial strain.
John Waweru recounted how SHA paid Sh280,000 for his leg surgery and later covered an additional Sh120,000 to treat complications arising from the first operation. He described the scheme as a lifeline during one of the most difficult periods of his life.
“SHA stood with me when I needed help the most. I urge all residents to enrol so they can benefit when faced with medical emergencies,” he said.
Several other residents echoed similar sentiments, saying the programme had come through for them at critical moments and restored hope to their families.
Mathioya Deputy County Commissioner Riungu Laikera acknowledged that while progress had been made in enrolment, a significant number of residents were yet to sign up. He called on chiefs and assistant chiefs to intensify mobilisation efforts at the village level.
“Registration is key because the benefits are clear. We must ensure everyone signs up so that no one is left out when illness strikes,” Laikera said, adding that local administrators were best placed to sensitise households.
The Executive Director of Ahadi Kenya Trust, Dr Stanley Kamau, criticised individuals spreading what he termed ‘misinformation’ about the scheme. He said false narratives were slowing down enrolment, particularly in rural areas where awareness gaps remain.
“SHA is not a political project. It is a healthcare solution that is already transforming lives,” Dr Kamau said, emphasising that the programme was designed to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all Kenyans.
He explained that the government introduced SHA as part of efforts to guarantee universal health coverage and ensure that no citizen is denied treatment due to lack of money. Early beneficiaries, he added, were clear evidence that the programme was working.
Dr Kamau challenged community health promoters and local administrators to intensify grassroots sensitisation campaigns. He noted that many residents were willing to register but lacked accurate information about how the scheme operates.
“CHPs and administrators must crisscross villages and explain how SHA works. Awareness remains a major gap despite the clear benefits,” he said.
He observed that SHA has become a critical safety net for families, especially during emergencies, by cushioning households against catastrophic medical expenses. The scheme, he added, restores dignity to patients by eliminating the need for public appeals to clear hospital bills.
Dr Kamau lauded the government for rolling out the initiative, terming it a bold step towards strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system and protecting vulnerable populations.
by Purity Mugo and Bernard Munyao
