Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi has highlighted that President William Ruto initiated the Social Health Authority (SHA) registration campaign to enable the government to identify citizens living with chronic and lifestyle-related illnesses.
During an interview on K24 TV on August 13, 2026, Wamumbi explained that the SHA registration is a strategic move aimed at enhancing data collection, which in turn will aid in better planning and budgeting for healthcare services.
He drew parallels between the SHA exercise and the government’s agricultural data collection initiatives, noting, “In agriculture, data on farmers, acreage, and inputs like fertiliser help allocate budgets effectively. The same principle applies to healthcare.”
Wamumbi emphasized that knowing the number of patients with chronic and lifestyle diseases is crucial for resource allocation and service delivery improvements under the new social health insurance system, which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Economic Progress and Health Sector Reforms
The MP also pointed to positive economic developments, citing significant drops in fertiliser prices—from Ksh7,500 to Ksh2,500 per bag—and maize flour prices, down from Ksh247 to Ksh130 per packet. Additionally, the Kenyan shilling has strengthened against the dollar, moving from Ksh162 to Ksh129.
These indicators, he argued, demonstrate economic stabilization and justify the government’s ongoing reforms.
In line with improving the health insurance framework, the Social Health Authority has intensified efforts to verify pending NHIF claims exceeding Ksh10 million. This process aims to clear inherited liabilities from the defunct NHIF and ensure more efficient management of Kenya’s health insurance system.
