Moses Kuria Announces Cheaper Health Plan for 10,000 Boda Boda Riders in Embu
Senior Economic Advisor in the Office of the President, Moses Kuria, has announced a new partnership that will benefit over 10,000 boda boda riders in Embu County. According to Kuria, these riders will have 50% of their Taifa Care health insurance premiums covered by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with Governor Mbarire, Kuria explained that this initiative is part of the Afyaboda na Karinda program, which aims to improve access to healthcare for boda boda riders. The meeting was held to prepare for a mass registration drive for the riders in the county.
“I met with representatives from Boda Boda Associations across all 20 wards in Embu County, representing more than 10,000 riders. Through Governor Mbarire’s Afyaboda na Karinda program, the Embu County Government will cover 50% of their Taifa Care insurance premiums,” Kuria stated.
Riders to Pay Balance in Small Daily Installments
Kuria further explained that the remaining half of the insurance cost would be paid by the riders themselves. However, instead of making large one-time payments, they will contribute small amounts daily through their mobile money accounts, making it easier for them to afford coverage.
As part of this arrangement, boda boda riders will also play a role in helping register Embu residents for Taifa Care. They will work alongside Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to ensure more people enroll in the health insurance scheme.
Under the Taifa Care program, Kenyans who do not earn a fixed salary—including boda boda riders—are required to contribute 2.75% of their household income for health insurance, with a minimum monthly payment of Ksh300. However, thanks to the new deal, boda boda riders in Embu will only need to pay Ksh150, while the county government will cover the rest.
Penalties for Late Payments & UHC Initiative
Households that fail to make their Taifa Care payments on time will face penalties. They will be charged an additional 2% of the unpaid amount for each delayed period. For salaried employees, contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund will be managed through an employer portal under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
By registering for Taifa Care, Kenyans can access free primary healthcare services at selected health facilities across the country. The initiative aligns with President William Ruto’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plan, which aims to ensure all citizens receive quality healthcare without financial barriers.
As of November 2024, more than 15 million Kenyans had already registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA). The top five counties with the highest number of registrations are Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Lamu, Kiambu, and Bomet, while Turkana, Garissa, Mandera, West Pokot, and Marsabit recorded the lowest enrollment numbers.
Embu Becomes Second County to Fully Digitize Health Services
Kuria also highlighted a major achievement for Embu County, stating that it had become the second county in Kenya, after Mombasa, to fully digitize its health sector. This means that all 109 public hospitals in Embu are now operating with a paperless system, ensuring efficient and modern healthcare service delivery.
This latest move by Governor Mbarire and Moses Kuria is expected to ease the financial burden on boda boda riders while improving healthcare accessibility in Embu County.
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