Explainer: What President Ruto’s “Free Primary Healthcare” Directive Means for You

Nairobi, Aug 27, 2025 — President William Ruto has ordered Kenyans not to pay for services at dispensaries and health centres, stressing that primary healthcare is free under Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Here’s what every citizen should know.

 What services are free under UHC

The Social Health Authority (SHA) package covers the following at government dispensaries and health centres:

• Basic consultations with doctors, clinical officers, or nurses.

• Diagnostics: simple lab tests, basic radiology (X-rays, ultrasounds).

• Essential medicines prescribed at primary level.

• Maternal and child health: antenatal, delivery support at health centres, postnatal, and child growth monitoring.

• Immunisations for infants and children.

• Mental health support at primary facilities.

• Minor surgical procedures, such as wound stitching, dressing, and abscess drainage.

Patients should not be asked to pay cash for these services.

What you should do if asked to pay

1. Decline politely: Remind the health worker that primary care is free under UHC.

2. Document: Note the facility name, date, and staff involved.

3. Report immediately through:

   • Ministry of Health hotlines (toll-free numbers announced in county hospitals).

   • County health offices.

   • Chiefs or local administrators, who are mandated to escalate complaints.

 What happens to violators

• Disciplinary action against health workers who demand illegal fees.

• Facilities found complicit may face suspension or closure — over hundreds of hospitals have already been shut down for non-compliance this year.

• The SHA is tightening audits to block fraudulent billing and punish rogue providers.

 Why this matters

• Protects households: Out-of-pocket spending drives many families into poverty.

• Boosts access: Free primary care ensures more Kenyans seek treatment early, reducing pressure on referral hospitals.

• Restores trust: The government is signalling zero tolerance for corruption and fraud in health services.

What to watch next

• Clear county-level enforcement — will all 47 counties align?

• Public awareness campaigns to help citizens know their entitlements.

• Audit reports on how SHA funds are spent and whether leakages persist.