Kenyan Government Issues 27-Day Window for Mandatory Student Health Enrollment

 

Parents and guardians across Kenya have until February 28, 2025, to enroll school-aged children in the national Social Health Authority (SHA) program, the Ministry of Education announced Saturday. The directive, part of a broader push to universalize healthcare access, mandates compliance despite anticipated logistical hurdles.

 

Key Details:

In a circular addressed to regional education offices, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang emphasized that the registration aligns with constitutional guarantees to healthcare. “Legislation requires every Kenyan, including minors, to enroll under SHA. Schools must promptly notify families and assist in expediting the process,” the statement read.

 

The initiative, launched last week by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, has already disrupted academic calendars. During a pilot rollout in Mombasa on January 24, classes were suspended to allow Community Health Promoters to oversee registrations, requiring parents to physically accompany students to schools—a move critics argue may burden working families.

 

Expanded Coverage:

Replacing the former EduAfya scheme, which exclusively covered public secondary students under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the new *Taifa Care program extends benefits to primary school learners. Ogamba stressed, “Guardians must first enroll themselves in Taifa Care, then list children as dependents to fast-track student registration.”

 

Broader Context:

The drive underscores President William Ruto’s administration’s commitment to universal healthcare, though it has sparked debate over implementation challenges. While the government assures the partnership between health and education ministries will streamline the process, concerns linger over potential absenteeism as families navigate the 27-day window.

 

Closing Quote: 

“This isn’t merely administrative—it’s about safeguarding our children’s right to health,” Ogamba stated during the Mombasa launch. “Every learner, from primary to secondary, must be shielded under this inclusive system.”