The Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula has challenged governors to utilize resources at their disposal to register their constituents with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking at a burial ceremony in Trans Nzoia County, Wetangula said the bosses of the devolved units should learn from Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kanga’ta.
“Over 90% of Murang’a County residents have registered because Governor Kang’ata has used county resources to register them. Our other counties should do the same. People should be registered in burials, weddings, church services and even drinking joints,” the National Assembly Speaker appealed.
He further reiterated the Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment to ensuring that all Kenyans have access to quality and affordable health care.
“Universal Health Coverage is one of the campaign promises of Kenya Kwanza administration and we are working towards that. We need our people to be registered with SHA,” he stated.
In addition, Wetangula asked Kenyans to disregard what he described as propaganda peddled by enemies of progress.
“The people telling others not to register have private insurance covers. It means they don’t mean any good for our people,” he noted.
Wetangula was accompanied by Members of Parliament Kakai Bisau (Kiminini), Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza), Susan Nakhumicha (former Health CS), Janet Nangabo (Former Trans Nzoia County MP among other local leaders.
What are the benefits of SHA?
On her part, Heath Cabinet Secretary Dr Deborah Mulongo stated that SHA has many benefits for Kenyans.
“SHA will transform our healthcare services. With this medical cover, all your medical needs will be taken care of by our government,” Mulongo stated.
SHA took effect from 1st October 2024 replacing the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
As of 19th December 2024, over 105,000 residents of Trans Nzoia had been registered representing 10.7% of the people of the cosmopolitan county.
