Kenya Expands Healthcare Coverage with Free Maternity Services and Higher Cancer Benefits

2026-05-12 services

Nairobi, 12 May 2026
Kenya’s Social Health Authority has dramatically increased healthcare benefits, offering free maternity services at public facilities and boosting cancer coverage from KES 550,000 to KES 800,000 annually. The reforms, announced yesterday by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, eliminate out-of-pocket costs for both normal deliveries and caesarean sections at Level 2 and 3 facilities through a KES 2 billion government allocation.

Comprehensive Coverage Details and Eligibility

The enhanced Social Health Authority benefits, implemented under Legal Notice No. 78 of 2026, provide registered beneficiaries with walk-in, walk-out access to maternity services at Level 2 and Level 3 primary healthcare facilities [1]. Normal delivery services are valued at KES 10,000, whilst caesarean sections receive coverage of KES 30,000, both fully financed through the Primary Healthcare Fund [1]. These reforms follow directives from President William Ruto during the State of the Nation Address and align with resolutions from the 12th Summit [5]. Teen mothers benefit particularly from these changes, receiving free delivery services and accessing SHIF benefits for one year covering the mother, child, and their family [3].

Enhanced Cancer Treatment and Chronic Illness Support

Cancer patients now receive substantially improved coverage, with the annual Cancer Benefits Package increasing from KES 550,000 to KES 800,000 [1][3][5]. The enhanced package includes specific tariffs for various treatments: holistic oncology consultations at up to KES 2,500, chemotherapy administrations at KES 5,500, and radiotherapy sessions at KES 3,600 per session for 30 sessions [1]. Advanced diagnostic imaging receives dedicated coverage with CT scans at KES 6,900, MRI scans at KES 11,000, PET scans at KES 53,500, and PSMA PET scans at KES 64,200 [1]. Specialised treatments include brachytherapy at KES 40,000 for three sessions and SBRT/SBRS capped at KES 70,000 for five sessions, with supportive care medication limited to KES 10,000 [1]. Since SHA’s inception in October 2024, cancer patient access has increased by 32.222 percent, with 43,661 patients now receiving treatment compared to 33,021 previously [3].

New Sickle Cell Disease Coverage and Access Requirements

Patients with sickle cell disease gain dedicated coverage under the revised package, with apheresis platelets covered at KES 20,000 and red cell exchange procedures at KES 70,000 [1][5]. Each treatment type is accessible up to three times within a policy period, providing substantial support for managing this chronic condition [1]. Chronic illness coverage has also expanded significantly, increasing from KES 150,000 to KES 400,000 annually [1]. The Social Health Authority operates across 10,646 facilities nationwide, from Level 2 dispensaries to national referral and private facilities [3]. To access these services, patients must be registered SHA beneficiaries, with the authority currently covering 30.7 million Kenyans, representing 64.8% of the estimated 47.5 million population [3].

Implementation Timeline and Financial Impact

The maternity service enhancements launched in May 2026, supported by a KES 2 billion government allocation specifically for free deliveries at Level 2 and Level 3 primary healthcare facilities [3]. Since SHA’s launch in October 2024, the scheme has supported 1,080,052 deliveries, with maternity services costing KES 9.8 billion between October 2024 and June 2025, and KES 8.7 billion from July 2025 to March 2026 [3]. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that the reforms eliminate financial barriers for expectant mothers, stating that registered SHA beneficiaries can access both normal deliveries and caesarean sections ‘on a walk-in, walk-out basis’ [1]. However, the scheme faces financial challenges, currently spending KES 159 for every KES 100 collected in SHIF contributions, with SHIF collecting KES 57.7 billion whilst incurring KES 91.5 billion in claims during 2024/25 [3].

Bronnen

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