EXPLAINER: CS Duale Reveals Why Gov’t Terminated EduAfya
Aden Duale, the Health Cabinet Secretary, has emphasized that the government has terminated the EduAfya medical insurance policy for all public secondary school pupils.
CS Duale claims that the government has replaced it with the Social Health Authority (SHA) benefits package.
Speaking to the Senate on Wednesday, May 14, Duale explained that this scheme, which expired in December 2023, faced considerable hurdles.
These include fraud, abuse, and duplicate payments for single procedures.
According to Duale, these issues were related to the NEMIS, which was utilized to run the programme.
He further stated that if the Senate requested particular information, he could reveal the names of institutions implicated in the fraud.
“Hon Speaker, this scheme was all out through the National Education Information System (NEMIS),” he said.
“Several challenges were found in that system: fraud, misuse, and double payments, which led to the halt of the institution arising from a single treatment.”
CS Health Aden Duale: Fraud, misuse, double payment was found in the edu afya programme arising from single treatment. The government resolved to re-consolidate all these special schemes into the Social Health Authority (SHA) benefit package. #SenateLive pic.twitter.com/thz4f7f80N
— Senate of Kenya (@Senate_KE) May 14, 2025
On January 16, the administration announced intentions to overhaul the disputed EduAfya program to include all school-age children.
The National Treasury stated in its 2025 Budget Policy Statement that the government was committed to developing strong institutional and strategic measures to expand the impact of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
EduAfya was a medical insurance initiative launched by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the former National Hospital Insurance Fund.
The project, which began on May 1, 2018, was aimed to provide health insurance to all students in public secondary schools.
It was renewable annually for five years, ending on December 31, 2023.
“The Ministry of Education engaged the former National Hospital Insurance Fund to provide medical insurance coverage for all students in public secondary schools,” he said.
“This scheme was branded EduAfya, commenced on the first of May 2018, and was renewable annually for a period of five years, lapsing December 31.”
To address these concerns, the administration has chosen to incorporate EduAfya and other special initiatives administered by the now-defunct NHIF into the SHA benefits package.
Duale stated that this step is intended to provide quality healthcare to all Kenyans and ensure that every kid has access to the greatest health services, as mandated by the Kenyan Constitution under Article 53(1c) and the Children’s Act.
ALSO READ:
- “Don’t Attack Public Infrastructure!” – IG Kanja Asks Kenyans, Issues Orders To Police
- “NO MORE NIL TAX RETURNS!” – KRA Tells Kenyans, Introduces New Changes
- Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov’t, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal
- President’s Office Releases 2026 National Holidays Calendar, Names Host Counties
- Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North
“Therefore, Hon Speaker and senators, the consolidation of the EduAfya scheme with all the schemes that were managed by the defunct NHIF is geared at implementing the highest attainable standards for all Kenyans and furthering the rights of the child,” Duale explained.
“Under SHA, students belong to households and are eligible to benefit from the three funds.”
Students who were previously covered by EduAfya will now be covered under the SHA programme through their homes.
This would ensure that medical treatments continue to be available while also improving oversight to prevent fraud and misuse.
EXPLAINER: CS Duale Reveals Why Gov’t Terminated EduAfya
