Deputy President Kithure Kindiki says Kenya’s Social Health Authority is on track to deliver Universal Health Coverage under Taifa Care, describing it as a constitutional right and urging African countries to adopt similar reforms.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has expressed confidence that Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme, implemented through the Social Health Authority (SHA), will succeed and serve as a model for other African countries.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting at the United Nations office in Nairobi, Kindiki said Kenya’s Taifa Care initiative is not a political project but the fulfilment of a constitutional obligation to ensure equitable access to healthcare.

“Kenya reaffirms its commitment to Universal Health Coverage through the Social Health Authority (SHA). Taifa Care is not a political programme, it is a constitutional right to ensure that no Kenyan is denied healthcare because of inability to pay,” he said.

CBI News reports that he acknowledged early implementation challenges since the programme’s launch in October 2024, noting that the government is working with partners to strengthen delivery as enrolment increases.

“We are fine-tuning our UHC programme and working with partners to ensure its perfection,” he added.

Key reforms underway include improving the supply of essential medical commodities, particularly in remote areas, increasing the number of healthcare workers, expanding health infrastructure, and strengthening actuarial systems to ensure long-term sustainability of SHA.

Kindiki called on African countries to adopt bold health financing and governance reforms, anchored in Universal Health Coverage and broader development goals.

“The message from Nairobi is simple: Africa’s health future will not be given to us, it will be built by us,” he said.