The Kenyan government has embarked on an ambitious initiative to enroll over 15 million learners from Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centers, primary, and secondary schools into the Taifa Care program within the first academic term of 2025. This comprehensive enrollment drive targets students in both public and private institutions nationwide.
To achieve this objective, Community Health Promoters have been deployed to educational institutions to facilitate the registration process, aiming for completion by April. This initiative marks a departure from the previous Sh4 billion EduAfya medical scheme under the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which exclusively covered secondary school students in public schools registered under the National Educational Management Information System (NEMIS).
As of mid-January, President William Ruto and the Ministry of Health reported that more than 17 million Kenyans had registered under Taifa Care, the nation’s Universal Health Coverage scheme. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba expressed support for the timing of this exercise, noting that Term One offers fewer restrictions compared to Term Three, which is typically reserved for national examinations.
According to data from the Ministry of Education, approximately 15 million learners are currently enrolled in primary and secondary schools across the country. The government’s swift action in integrating these students into Taifa Care underscores its commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility for the younger population.
This initiative reflects a significant step toward comprehensive health coverage for Kenyan students, aiming to ensure that all learners have access to essential medical services. By proactively enrolling students into Taifa Care, the government seeks to promote a healthier, more secure future for the nation’s youth.
By Nairobi