The Social Health Authority (SHA) disbursed KSh21.36 billion to counties in the 2025/2026 financial year, up from KSh12.7 billion the previous year, an increase of nearly 70 per cent. 

The rise comes as Kenya transitions to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), with new data showing growth in registration, collections, disbursements and service delivery. However, some Kenyans continue to report difficulties accessing hospital services. 

Between July 2025 and April 2026, SHIF paid KSh65.42 billion across 4,718 facility payment records in all 47 counties. The funds supported inpatient, specialised and high-cost care. In March and April alone, KSh25.37 billion was disbursed, more than 63 per cent of the KSh40.05 billion paid during the preceding eight months. 

The Fund has supported 1,080,052 safe deliveries, including free delivery services at primary healthcare facilities. It has also financed 949,608 inpatient admissions, including 19,444 critical care patients and 7,000 mental health admissions, as well as 220,097 surgical procedures. 

In chronic and catastrophic care, 43,661 cancer patients are accessing treatment through SHIF, with oncology cover increased from KSh550,000 to KSh800,000. About 14,800 patients have accessed dialysis, while the overseas treatment benefit, capped at KSh500,000 per eligible patient, has been reintroduced. Nine international facilities are contracted, with one patient already referred abroad. 

Private facilities account for 49 per cent of payments, followed by government facilities at 31 per cent and faith-based providers at 20 per cent. 

Council of Governors chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi said collections under the Facility Improvement Financing Act rose from KSh16.9 billion to KSh24.01 billion, exceeding the annual target. 

Meanwhile, SHA enrolment has increased from 18 million to 30.1 million, according to the Council of Governors’ State of Devolution report. 

SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said free primary healthcare has been rolled out across all counties, with more than eight million Kenyans accessing services without payment at Level Two and Level Three facilities. More than 600,000 active payers have also joined the ‘Lipa SHA Pole Pole’ initiative. 

(Source: Daily Nation)