Wednesday, 21 October 2026

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Wednesday, 21 October 2026

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Kenyan press · Organization

National Hospital Insurance Fund

2026-04-272026-10-21

News reports

Order a long-term news report on National Hospital Insurance Fund

Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

June 2026
17 JunThe Standard
… The CS cited the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) as a key reform aimed at improving access to healthcare. …
Treasury defends economic resilience, debt strategy and public finance reforms
11 JunCitizen Digital
… It includes Ksh.39.64 billion in unremitted National Hospital Insurance Fund contributions, deducted from employees' salaries but never forwarded to NHIF. …
Chronic spenders: How gov’t is living beyond its means as Kenyans tighten belts
May 2026
13 MayThe Standard
… al enrolment, restricting access for orphanages and NGO-run facilities.Kenya's insurance market is projected to reach $8.35 billion by 2025 and $9.71 billion by 2030, supported by insurtech expansion, regulatory reforms and the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund …
Insurance penetration slips as firms target underserved groups
4 MayThe Standard
… Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi, Mwaura said reforms under the Social Health Authority (SHA) had widened access beyond the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which covered fewer than eight million people, with teachers now accessing In-Vitro Fertilisat …
Teachers gain fertility treatment under state medical cover, says Mwaura
April 2026
30 AprCitizen Digital
… On healthcare, President Ruto commended the people of Bomet for being the second-highest county in registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA). “Hardly 50,000 people in Bomet were registered under the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund. …
Ruto defends economic record, says Kenya on path to transformation
27 AprCapital News
… On healthcare, he pointed to improvements following the introduction of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund system. …
President Ruto Defends Reform Agenda, Promises Solutions to Kenya’s Challenges

Politics

Ruto exempts workers earning Sh32,333 monthly from PAYE

The News

President William Ruto announced an exemption from PAYE income tax for workers earning Sh32,333 or less per month, to be included in tax proposals submitted to Parliament next week. The government also proposes exempting land transactions worth Sh1 million or less from stamp duty, removing 25 per cent import duty on mobile phones, and expanding the national internship programme to 50,000 young Kenyans from January 1, 2027.

20 October 2026 · The Standard →

Yesterday

Ruto exempts workers earning Sh32,333 monthly from PAYE
President William Ruto announced an exemption from PAYE income tax for workers earning Sh32,333 or less per month, to be included in tax proposals submitted to Parliament next week. The government also proposes exempting land transactions worth Sh1 million or less from stamp duty, removing 25 per cent import duty on mobile phones, and expanding the national internship programme to 50,000 young Kenyans from January 1, 2027.
20 October 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 16 October

DP Kindiki urges politicians to prioritize development over election-year conflict
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on politicians to avoid insults and political fights, instead focusing on development and peace as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election. Kindiki said leaders would struggle to convince voters without a tangible development record, and that citizens want development and unity, not "noise, insults and fights."
16 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 9 October

DPP withdraws Sh17.59m fraud charges against former SHA CEOs
The Director of Public Prosecutions has withdrawn fraud charges against former Social Health Authority acting chief executives Elijah Wachira and Robert Ingasira over alleged fraudulent medical claims worth Sh17.59 million, after a review established the two had left SHA before the disputed claims were submitted and did not participate in payment.
9 October 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 7 October

Former Chief Justice Maraga questions Kenya's Ebola preparedness
Former Chief Justice David Maraga, returning from the United States, questioned the government's readiness to contain Ebola after a patient was confirmed and died, demanding urgent action. Maraga criticised how the patient entered the country and interacted with others despite government assurances of border preparedness.
7 October 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 28 September

SHA reschedules Level 4 hospital verification over unpaid NHIF claims
The Social Health Authority has rescheduled a verification exercise for Level 4 health facilities with outstanding claims of Sh10 million or more inherited from the defunct NHIF. Affected facilities have been asked to prepare documentation for the revised verification dates.
28 September 2026 · Capital News →

Saturday 19 September

Ichung'wah criticizes 'sponyo' politics after Uhuru's funeral jest
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah has criticized "sponyo" politics, saying politicians should be supported with ideas that improve ordinary Kenyans' lives rather than money for political battles. His remarks came a day after former President Uhuru Kenyatta appeared to accept the "sponyo" label at a funeral in Murang'a County, a term used by President William Ruto and allies to reference allegations that Uhuru backs opposition activities.
19 September 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 25 August

Ruto: Narok Airport completion expected within two months
President William Ruto announced that construction of the Sh677 million Narok Airport will be completed within two months, with the facility designed to serve both domestic and international passengers and boost tourism to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
25 August 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 24 August

Kenya's SHA can learn from Australia's Medicare system
An opinion piece argues that as Kenya institutionalizes the Social Health Authority to pursue universal health coverage, it should study Australia's Medicare model to ensure the system delivers access to necessary care without financial hardship. By June 2026, more than 31 million Kenyans had registered with SHA, which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund in October 2024.
24 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 21 August

Kindiki attacks Gachagua over opposition messaging and nicknames
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has criticized his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition figures for relying on personal attacks and nicknames instead of presenting a development agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking to UDA grassroots officials, Kindiki dismissed exchanges featuring nicknames "Kasongo" and "Soprano," calling them "children's play" and urging opponents to instead outline plans for improving roads, education, healthcare, and agriculture.
21 August 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 18 August

Ruto credits health reforms as SHA enrollment reaches 32.3 million
President William Ruto said government health sector reforms over three years have succeeded, with 32.3 million Kenyans now enrolled in the Social Health Authority (SHA) since its October 2024 launch—up from 8 million under the previous National Hospital Insurance Fund—and 178 billion shillings paid to hospitals while SHA has treated over eight million people.
18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President Ruto tours KEMSA digital transformation at Health Summit
President William Ruto visited KEMSA's exhibition stand at the Kenya Health Summit in Nairobi to see how digital systems are improving efficiency and accountability in the health supply chain. KEMSA said its order fill rate has risen to 90 per cent from 40 per cent three years ago, and highlighted its Paperless KEMSA system and last-mile delivery model for health commodities to facilities.
18 August 2026 · Capital News →
Health reforms have curbed corruption, reshaped care financing
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula said health reforms initiated by the Kenya Kwanza administration are addressing corruption and access to quality care, with Parliament passing four key health laws in 2023 including the Primary Health Care Act and the Facility Improvement Financing Act.
18 August 2026 · The Standard →
Parliament pledges backing for Kenya health sector reforms
At the Kenya Health Summit 2026, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula pledged Parliament's full support for Government reforms aimed at transforming Kenya's health sector and advancing Universal Health Coverage, emphasising Parliament's critical role through legislation, resource allocation and oversight.
18 August 2026 · The Standard →
Ruto denies Sh104 billion SHA technology contract
President Ruto has dismissed claims that the government signed a Sh104 billion contract with Safaricom and Apeiro Limited for Social Health Authority technology, saying instead that the government designed a digital system for transparency and pays investors for services rather than purchasing technology outright.
18 August 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 4 August

Kenyans highlight unfulfilled promises by President Ruto on social media
Kenyan social media users have launched a campaign on X documenting President William Ruto's unfulfilled public promises spanning years of campaign trails, church services, and official addresses, from infrastructure projects to socio-economic reforms and political appointments.
4 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 3 August

African countries integrate sickle cell care into health insurance
African countries including Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Ghana are working to integrate sickle cell disease services into their Universal Health Coverage programmes, with experts emphasizing that sustainable financing, early diagnosis and access to medicines are critical to improving patient outcomes. Health experts said embedding sickle cell care into national health systems and social health insurance schemes rather than relying on donor-funded programmes offers the best opportunity to ensure continuous care.
3 August 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 22 July

Parents association urges government to restore learner medical cover
The National Parents Association has raised concerns over the absence of medical insurance for learners following the discontinuation of the EduAfya programme four years ago, warning that students have been left vulnerable to illness and increased absenteeism. The association's chairman called on the government and stakeholders to urgently expand healthcare access for learners, including HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention campaigns.
22 July 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 14 July

Family appeals for help over unresolved SHA hospital bill
A Kericho family is seeking government intervention after their mother's outstanding hospital bill of Sh514,600 at South Rift Hospital remains unresolved for over a year, putting them at risk of losing a vehicle. They blame the dispute on the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund to the Social Health Authority.
14 July 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 10 July

Ombudsman orders NHIF and SHA hospital payment records released
The Commission on Administrative Justice has ordered the Social Health Authority to disclose disaggregated payment records made to hospitals under the defunct NHIF between 2018 and 2024, and SHA/SHIF payments from 2025 onwards, citing constitutional right to information. The agency has 21 days to comply or face criminal prosecution recommendations.
10 July 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 30 June

Cabinet Secretary orders SHA to clear Sh4 billion NHIF legacy claims
Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed the Social Health Authority to release Sh4 billion allocated to settle verified legacy debts owed to small healthcare facilities by the defunct NHIF within two weeks, after the SHA CEO said disbursements would begin in July.
30 June 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 17 June

Treasury defends Kenya's economic resilience amid debt concerns
Kenya's Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told the Senate that the economy expanded 4.6 per cent in 2025, slightly down from 4.7 per cent in 2024, and that public and publicly guaranteed debt stood at approximately Sh12.842 trillion (69.49 per cent of GDP) as of February 26, 2026, attributing the economic slowdown to external shocks including Middle East conflict and drought risks.
17 June 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 11 June

Government spending exceeded budget in key central offices, COB finds
Kenya's Controller of Budget reports the national government spent far beyond Parliament's approval in key central offices during the nine months to March 2026, while accumulating Ksh.465.87 billion in unpaid bills despite discretionary spending on items including AFCON football subscriptions and hospitality at the Deputy President's office.
11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 13 May

Kenya insurance penetration falls to 2.2% of GDP in 2025
Kenya's insurance penetration declined to 2.2 per cent of GDP in the first half of 2025 from 2.4 per cent in 2024, well below the global average of 7.4 per cent. Insurers are expanding into underserved segments such as elderly people and children, though uptake remains limited.
13 May 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 4 May

Government adds fertility treatment to teacher medical cover
The government has added fertility treatment, including In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), to the public teacher medical scheme under the Social Health Authority, which now covers 30.8 million Kenyans. The Social Health Authority expanded health coverage beyond the defunct NHIF, which covered fewer than eight million people, and also removed co-payments for teachers and expanded benefits to include specialised treatment abroad.
4 May 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 30 April

Ruto defends economic record, cites three-year growth
President William Ruto said Kenya is changing for the better and pointed to economic growth during his three years in office as proof the country is headed in the right direction. He highlighted progress in universal health coverage, agriculture, education and housing, and vowed that Kenya will become a first-world economy within his lifetime.
30 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 27 April

President Ruto defends government reforms across education and agriculture
President William Ruto reaffirmed his administration's commitment to addressing Kenya's challenges through reforms in education, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure, saying the government is focused on delivering solutions rather than shifting blame. He cited specific measures including hiring teachers and reforming university funding in education, and tackling fertiliser costs and cartels through subsidies in agriculture.
27 April 2026 · Capital News →