President William Ruto has officially opened a new Social Health Authority (SHA) block at the General Service Unit (GSU) Embakasi Health Centre in Nairobi. Ruto commissioned the facility on Friday while presiding over the 50th passing-out parade of GSU recruits at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘B’ Campus. The President said the new facility is part of government efforts to strengthen healthcare services available to members of the security services and their families.
Government Expands Healthcare Access for Security Officers
Speaking during the ceremony, Ruto said the new SHA block at the GSU health facility would help improve access to medical care for security officers. He noted that the government was also expanding mental health and psychosocial support services for security personnel, recognising that officers may encounter traumatic situations while carrying out their duties. Ruto said seeking professional support for mental health should not be viewed as a sign of weakness, stressing the importance of ensuring officers have access to appropriate care.
Over 138,000 Officers Enrolled Under Usalama Cover
The President revealed that more than 138,000 police and prison officers, together with their eligible dependants, had been enrolled under the Usalama Cover through SHA. According to Ruto, the number of healthcare facilities accessible through the scheme has also grown significantly.
He said the network had expanded from 973 facilities under the previous private insurance arrangement to more than 8,000 healthcare facilities spread across all 47 counties. The expanded network is expected to give security officers and their families greater flexibility when seeking medical services, including when officers are transferred or deployed to different parts of the country.
Broader Range of Medical Services
Ruto said the Usalama Cover provides access to a wider range of healthcare services compared to the previous arrangement. The cover includes outpatient and inpatient treatment, surgical procedures, maternity services, management of chronic and pre-existing conditions, as well as specialist care.
Beneficiaries can also access dental, optical and diagnostic services under the scheme, subject to the applicable SHA provisions. The President said security officers can now access eligible healthcare services across the country instead of being limited to a smaller number of designated facilities.
Senior Officials Attend GSU Parade
The opening of the SHA block formed part of Ruto’s programme at the GSU Embakasi campus, where he also presided over the 50th passing-out parade of newly trained GSU recruits. The ceremony was attended by senior government and security officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
The new SHA block is expected to supplement existing medical services at the GSU Embakasi Health Centre as the government continues implementing healthcare arrangements for security personnel. The development is also part of the broader rollout of SHA, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) as Kenya’s public health insurance system. The government has continued to introduce specialised healthcare arrangements under SHA aimed at addressing the unique needs of different groups, including members of the security services.
