More than 26 million Kenyans have registered for SHA medical cover, with the government aiming for higher enrollment before the end of the year.
Speaking on Monday when he engaged more than 1,500 grassroots women leaders from Laikipia County at his Irunduni home in Tharaka Nithi County, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki urged those who have not registered to do so in order to benefit from health coverage provided by SHA.
He encouraged Kenyans to continue enrolling as he welcomed the growing interest in taking up the cover.
“We want everyone to register for SHA cover. So far, we have 26 million Kenyans who are already enrolled. With this trend, we will have 30 million by December this year and hopefully 55 million by 2027. That will mean all Kenyans will be covered, which will be a historic achievement,” the DP said.
He said the hitches that had met their implementation were being handled, adding that the system is being refined to make it more effective and efficient.
Prof. Kindiki also said at least 1.5 million Kenyans will access SHA services without making any contribution after their economic status is ascertained.
“We want everyone to be registered so they qualify for coverage that will ease the burden from hospital bills. We already have 1.5 million Kenyans who will have their bills paid without making any contributions because they are unable to,” said the Deputy President.
He asked the women leaders to push for more enrollment in Laikipia, revealing that 242,000 residents had registered against a target of 591,000.
At the same time, Prof. Kindiki said the government is intensifying development projects in the county to improve the lives of residents.
Presently, he added, 12 modern markets are under construction, including in Nyahururu, Nanyuki, Sipili, Naibor, Ilipolei, Wiyumiririe, Kibaba, and Kalali towns.
He pointed out that affordable housing projects are also underway in Naibor, Kinamba, Posta, Nanyuki Phase One and Phase Two, and in various learning institutions, among them hostels for Laikipia University and Nyahururu KMTC.
“Electricity connection is also being expanded in the devolved unit after the government allocated Sh720 million targeting connection of more homes in all the constituencies in the county,” said Prof. Kindiki.
The Deputy President praised the government’s efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the county following years of deadly banditry attacks and the menace of cattle rustling.
He said President Ruto promised to restore peace in Laikipia when he was campaigning and had done so within months after assuming office.
The Deputy President, who previously served as Interior Cabinet Secretary before assuming the DP’s office, said lots of efforts were put into enhancing security in the area and entailed deployment of special police units and increasing the number of police reservists.
“We increased the number of security officers posted to the area from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit and Rapid Deployment Unit and added more reservists. Because of the work done by these officers, we now have peace in Laikipia, and the people are going on with their lives without fear for their security,” said Professor Kindiki.
He said the government will continue beefing up security to ensure lasting peace in the area and also in the North Rift region, calling on residents to coexist peacefully.
Key government flagship projects, he added, are aimed at improving the lives of millions of Kenyans at the bottom of the pyramid, mostly women who are crucial in driving local economies.
“Women are the drivers of change, best at multitasking as caregivers of their families but also key drivers of grassroots agricultural productivity and enterprise growth,” he noted.
He added that the government support of rural enterprises through construction of fresh produce markets and support of nano, micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises, many of them run by women, fits perfectly in the BETA agenda.
“As we expand the economy to create jobs, we are empowering families and communities for the benefit of the men and women who, as parents, want a country that provides more opportunities to their children,” he said.
By Dickson Mwiti
