President William Ruto, in his Jamhuri Day address at Uhuru Gardens on December 12, 2024, shared an optimistic update on Kenya’s journey toward achieving universal healthcare.
Focusing on the achievements of his administration, Ruto highlighted the Taifa Care program, which aims to ensure accessible healthcare for all Kenyans.
The Taifa Care Program
Universal healthcare has long been a priority in Kenya, raising critical questions about accessibility, infrastructure, and the alignment between contributions and benefits.
President Ruto presented Taifa Care as an inclusive, transparent, and efficient model designed to address these concerns and expand healthcare access nationwide.
He emphasized the progress made so far, noting the government’s significant strides in transitioning toward universal healthcare.
“This means that, in just two months, 11 million Kenyans who previously lacked access to healthcare services are now registered, with the registration process going on full steam in every part of Kenya,” he said.
Transition to Universal Coverage
As part of this initiative, 5.6 million Kenyans have been transitioned from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the broader Taifa Care system.
Additionally, 11 million citizens have been newly registered under the Social Health Insurance Fund.
Ruto commended counties like Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Bomet, Embu, and Lamu for leading in citizen registrations.
He also encouraged counties such as Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera, West Pokot, and Turkana to accelerate their efforts in taking full advantage of the program.
“Under Taifa Care, our inclusive, universal, efficient, and transparent healthcare service model, we are implementing a transition on an unprecedented scale,” Ruto stated.
A Call to Action
The president urged all Kenyans to register for Taifa Care, emphasizing healthcare as a constitutional right.
“I encourage every Kenyan to register and enjoy the fundamental constitutional right to healthcare,” he declared.
Addressing Challenges
Ruto also outlined how Taifa Care addresses longstanding challenges in Kenya’s healthcare system. By accurately determining the costs of healthcare services and products, the program ensures that resources are allocated for equipment upgrades and facility improvements.
The president reassured citizens that the system is designed to be inclusive, efficient, and effective, addressing concerns about eligibility and service delivery.
He encouraged those already registered to share their experiences to highlight how the program meets healthcare needs and resolves previous issues.
Ambition and Impact
President Ruto described Taifa Care as the most ambitious public service delivery project in Kenya’s history.
“No public service delivery project of this scale and ambition has ever been undertaken in the history of our country. We are confident that we will quickly surpass the 16.5 million citizens so far registered and provide all Kenyans with high-quality healthcare that is efficient, effective, affordable, and sustainable,” he said.
With Taifa Care, the government aims to transform healthcare access, ensuring a system that benefits every Kenyan while addressing critical gaps in previous programs.
