Kenya's New Health Plan: Affordable Healthcare for All?

Kenya Launches Flexible Health Insurance Payment Plan: President Ruto Announces 'Lipa Shah Pole Pole' Initiative Nairobi, Kenya – On Madaraka Day 2025, President William Ruto announced a new initiative aimed at improving access to healthcare for all Kenyans. The "Lipa Shah Pole Pole" plan allows citizens to pay their annual health insurance contributions in flexible installments via mobile phone (*147#). This addresses the challenges faced by many Kenyans in affording consistent health coverage. "This initiative enables Kenyans to remit their annual share contributions through flexible, manageable installments," President Ruto stated in his address. "It ensures families maintain continuous health coverage without financial strain while simultaneously promoting the sustainability of the health insurance fund." The plan is the result of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, mobile network operators, and financial institutions. The government's goal is to make healthcare a right, not a privilege, for all citizens. The "Lipa Shah Pole Pole" initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare for all Kenyans, regardless of their financial situation.