President William Ruto has unveiled a rebranded Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), now called Taifa Care, emphasizing its key role in delivering Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to all Kenyans.

In his State of the Nation Address, the president expressed confidence in the new model’s ability to provide effective and accessible healthcare services. He criticized the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for primarily benefiting a small segment of salaried Kenyans, leaving the majority without adequate coverage.

Taifa Care features a comprehensive benefits package designed for easy access by all Kenyans. Under the new system, employees contribute 2.75% of their gross income, with a minimum payment of Ksh.300, while employers must remit payments by the 9th of each month.


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“Taifa Care ensures citizens are eligible for all services upon registration,” President Ruto said. “I urge every Kenyan to take the critical step of securing dependable healthcare for themselves and their families by registering now.” He further highlighted that Taifa Care had conducted detailed costing of healthcare goods and services to provide timely and efficient care for all.

The president revealed that over 15 million Kenyans have enrolled in Taifa Care, with 60% of employers successfully transitioning to the new system. “Once the transition from NHIF to Taifa Care is complete, Kenya will, for the first time in 60 years, have a healthcare system that guarantees dignity, peace of mind, and equitable access for every citizen,” Ruto stated.

Since its rollout on October 1, 2024, Taifa Care has faced public criticism, with concerns that the new system excludes thousands of patients from accessing healthcare. Critics also accuse the Kenya Kwanza administration of rushing to implement the Ksh.104.8 billion system despite clear signs of potential challenges.