Ruto Raises Cancer Treatment Coverage Under SHA to Ksh.800,000

President William Ruto has announced that the cancer benefits package under the Social Health Authority (SHA) will rise from Ksh.550,000 to Ksh.800,000, effective December 1, 2025. The announcement was made during his State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday.

The President said the adjustment is intended to help patients access sustained treatment without financial strain. “This enhancement responds to the rising cost of sustained cancer care and ensures that patients can access quality, uninterrupted treatment without facing financial hardship,” he said.

Ruto added that SHA has seen increased national enrollment, stating that 27 million Kenyans are currently registered, which he said surpasses past coverage levels under the former national insurance system. He also said that more than 10,000 healthcare facilities have enrolled to provide services under SHA.

According to the President, the reforms are part of ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to healthcare across the country. He described the changes as a milestone in achieving universal health coverage, saying they mark progress toward a system that guarantees treatment access regardless of economic status.

“This is more than healthcare reform… a Kenya where every citizen can face tomorrow with confidence,” he said.

The latest enhancement follows a previous adjustment in March 2025, when the Ministry of Health increased the cancer package from Ksh.400,000 to Ksh.550,000 and introduced a 24-hour support centre for beneficiaries.