Orengo Applauds SHA Initiative, Seeks Closer Partnership with President Ruto
Siaya Governor James Orengo Endorses Social Health Authority Initiative for Better Healthcare. Photo/KBC Digital.
By Juliet Jerotich
Siaya Governor James Orengo has expressed strong support for the Social Health Authority (SHA) initiative, praising its positive impact on healthcare in his county.
Orengo shared his thoughts during a meeting with President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi on Thursday, where he led a delegation of Siaya leaders to discuss the county’s development priorities.
The governor emphasized the benefits of the national health insurance scheme, rolled out under the Kenya Kwanza government, noting that it is starting to show results for Siaya residents.
“The figures we’re seeing are encouraging. SHA has already processed Ksh 281 million in claims, with Ksh 180 million paid out, leaving just Ksh 101 million outstanding. This program has been a success, and it’s also helped increase our county’s revenue,” Orengo remarked.
Initially skeptical about the scheme, Orengo acknowledged that while there were early reservations, the people of Siaya are gradually embracing SHA. He pointed out the rising enrollment in the Taifa Care program as evidence of the scheme’s growing popularity.
“Of the 175 health facilities in Siaya, 163 are now registered under SHA. With a population of around 900,000 to 1 million people, 335,000 have already joined the scheme. Though we’re not yet at the top, these numbers reflect significant progress considering the initial challenges we faced,” he said.
The SHA program is a key initiative of President Ruto’s government, aimed at improving access to affordable and quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
Governor Orengo also expressed his desire to work more closely with President Ruto’s government, particularly in sectors like agriculture, the blue economy, and healthcare, all of which are vital to Siaya’s development. He recalled that Siaya was once a major producer of coffee, especially Robusta coffee, but the industry collapsed due to challenges in marketing and brokerage.
“We want to bring agriculture and the blue economy back to life in Siaya. These sectors are crucial for the county’s transformation, and we’re ready to partner with the government to achieve these goals,” he stated.
The governor also called on President Ruto to consider supporting specific development projects in these areas, which he believes have great potential to uplift the livelihoods of local communities and spur sustainable growth.
In his response, President Ruto assured the governor of his administration’s commitment to inclusive development. He pledged to prioritize investments in Siaya as part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which is designed to focus on community-driven economic growth.
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