Duale Rolls Out SHA Drive as Uasin Gishu Accelerates Healthcare Transformation
“Today’s rollout is crucial for enhancing the quality of healthcare in our facilities. We aim to provide quality care regardless of income or location,”
By James Gitaka
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Wednesday officially launched the Social Health Assurance (SHA) sensitization, registration, and digitization drive in Uasin Gishu County in partnership with the National Government and Taifa Care. The initiative, which seeks to streamline health services and expand universal health coverage, was rolled out at a public event attended by Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii.
Speaking during the launch, Duale urged residents to register for SHA to ensure every household benefits from affordable and reliable healthcare. He noted that the new system will digitize and modernize the delivery of health services across the county, reducing the cost of care and improving accountability. Governor Bii said the program was a “major step forward in delivering quality healthcare” and affirmed that health remains a cornerstone of his Nguzo Kumi plan.
The Cabinet Secretary and the Governor also inspected Ziwa Level Five Hospital in Soy Sub-County, a multi-million-shilling facility whose construction has stalled despite significant public investment. The hospital, launched more than a decade ago, has already consumed an estimated KSh 1.4 billion but remains incomplete, with only 41 per cent of the works done and the structure deteriorating from years of neglect. According to Senate records, over KSh 490 million has been paid out for works on the hospital to date. Duale directed that the contractor resume work immediately, warning that the government would take action if there is no progress by September 22.
He tasked the Uasin Gishu County Commissioner with ensuring the contractor mobilises on site to expedite completion of the facility. Once operational, the hospital is expected to provide critical health services to local residents and decongest Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.
Earlier in the day, the Health CS and the Governor toured Mama Rachel Ruto Maternity Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to improving maternal and newborn care. Formerly known as West Maternity Hospital, the centre was renamed and officially opened by First Lady Rachel Ruto in June 2024. The hospital boasts a 70-bed capacity with modern delivery suites, antenatal and postnatal wards, a fully equipped theatre, diagnostic ultrasound and X-ray services, a pharmacy, and a class E laboratory.
It also features about 20 general incubators and tunnel incubators for premature and critically ill newborns, making it one of the most advanced maternal facilities in the region. Officials said the hospital is setting new standards for maternal and child health in the county, helping to reduce the burden on existing facilities.
The SHA registration campaign in Uasin Gishu forms part of the government’s broader push toward Universal Health Coverage under the Social Health Authority. Residents are being urged to register by dialing *147#, with county officials emphasizing that services at Level 2 and 3 facilities will be free for registered households. County data show that a significant proportion of the current registrants are mothers, reflecting the county’s focus on maternal and child health.
Governor Bii commended the Ministry of Health for modernizing the health ecosystem and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring every household in Uasin Gishu can access quality healthcare.
“Today’s rollout is crucial for enhancing the quality of healthcare in our facilities. We aim to provide quality care regardless of income or location,” he said.
The push to complete Ziwa Level Five Hospital and expand registration under SHA signals a renewed focus on improving healthcare delivery in Uasin Gishu County, decentralizing specialized services and easing pressure on referral hospitals.
About Author
