The government has established Multi-Sectoral Steering Committees at the county level to strengthen the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) programme.

Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, announced this initiative on Tuesday during a high-profile gathering of key stakeholders in the healthcare sector.

The newly launched committees will operate under the leadership of County Executive Committees (CECs) and will include representatives from various sectors, such as National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs), the Kenya Health Federation (KHF), and the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The involvement of a broad spectrum of stakeholders is expected to streamline the implementation process across the country.

“These committees will include representatives from County Executive Committees (CECs), National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), the Kenya Health Federation (KHF), and the Social Health Authority, with CECs chairing to ensure efficient operations at the grassroots level,” read a statement from the Ministry of Health.

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The SHA programme, part of Kenya’s Universal Health Care (UHC) agenda, is designed to provide every Kenyan with access to affordable healthcare.

The transition process is already underway, and these committees are intended to monitor and guide its progress, ensuring smooth operations from the grassroots level upwards.

Key stakeholders such as Elijah Wachira, the Chief Executive Officer of the SHA, and Khatra Ali, the Director of Health at the Council of Governors, were present at the event, underscoring the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in the programme’s success.

Kimtai emphasised the significance of cooperation between national and county governments, noting that such collaboration is essential for ensuring the SHA programme is uniformly rolled out across all counties.

“The success of the SHA programme depends on ongoing collaboration with County Governments, KHF, FBOs, and other stakeholders,” he stated, highlighting the ultimate goal of providing every Kenyan with UHC.


Although not directly involved in the committees, Community Health Promoters (CHPs) received praise from the Principal Secretary for their work in sensitising communities about the SHA programme and facilitating household registrations. Their contributions at the grassroots level have been vital in spreading awareness about the initiative.


Kimtai also highlighted the growing success of the Digital Health Authority (DHA) in revolutionising the registration process through digital solutions. The digital registration system has so far enrolled over 13 million Kenyans into the SHA programme, with the number set to rise as more health facilities receive technological support. The government has already distributed 5,000 tablets, with plans to deliver a total of 65,000.


As the SHA programme continues to expand, the government remains committed to addressing any challenges faced during its implementation. The establishment of these Multi-Sectoral Steering Committees is seen as a pivotal step towards ensuring that all Kenyans, regardless of their location, are fully integrated into the UHC framework.