Kenya is extending medical insurance to one of its most overlooked populations: inmates and those in probation centres in an ambitious push toward universal healthcare.
A new nationwide registration effort is underway to bring prisoners into the National Social Health Authority (SHA) system, ensuring that no citizen is denied access to healthcare regardless of their incarceration status.
The campaign launched at Lang’ata Women’s Prison in Nairobi and marks a rare convergence of justice, health, and civil registration initiatives. As part of the rollout, inmates are also being issued national ID cards a step seen as critical for enabling future reintegration into society and access to essential services.
The state will foot the cost of SHA premiums for those in custody, with funding provided through the Department of Correctional Services. Officials say this move is more than an administrative update; it’s a rethinking of how human rights and rehabilitation intersect.
Senior government figures from medical, correctional, immigration, and parliamentary departments attended the launch, emphasizing cross-sector support. Among them were Dr Ouma Oluga, Dr Salome Beacco, Dr Aurelia Chepkirui Rono, and Belio Kipsang. Also present were Robert Ingasira, acting CEO of SHA, and Patrick Mwiti Aranduh, Commissioner General of Prisons.
Dr Beacco noted the importance of breaking down barriers to inclusion, pointing out that initial skepticism toward such reforms often stems from lack of public understanding. So far, 8,000 individuals in the prison system have been enrolled, with full coverage as the ultimate goal.
According to Dr Oluga, the broader mission is to build a system where access to healthcare is standard for every Kenyan, no matter their circumstances.
