STATEMENT
Nairobi, 10 March 2026: Over 900 Kenyans, persons with disabilities, advocates, and allies within the broader disability inclusion movement, have today called on the Social Health Authority (SHA) to review its benefits package to include assistive devices. As it stands today, the current SHA cover does not provide comprehensive coverage for assistive devices such as prosthetic limbs, orthotics, wheelchairs, hearing aids, crutches, and other essential mobility and rehabilitation products. This exclusion places an unbearable financial burden on persons with disabilities and their families.As the Authority approaches the mandatory two-year review of its benefits package, we urge the Social Health Authority and the Ministry of Health to give serious consideration to this petition and the voices behind it, and to use this review process as an opportunity to address a structural barrier that deepens inequality and entrenches poverty.
Assistive devices are expensive. The cost of a single prosthetic limb can equal several months, and sometimes even years, of household income. Paediatric devices must be replaced as children grow. Wheelchairs and orthotic supports require maintenance and repair. Without insurance coverage, these costs are paid entirely out of pocket. For most families, this makes assistive devices simply out of reach.
Children drop out of school because they cannot walk long distances or access classrooms. Breadwinners lose employment due to limited mobility. Families are forced to sell land or other assets, pushing themselves deeper into poverty. Preventable health complications such as pressure sores, spinal deformities, and joint damage increase. Dependency replaces independence, undermining dignity and full participation in society.
In effect, excluding assistive devices from SHA effectively excludes many persons with disabilities from meaningful access to healthcare, education, employment, and public life.
At the same time, contributions to SHA are mandatory for all Kenyans. This means Kenyans contribute to the scheme, yet if an incident occurs that leads to disability, such as a road accident, illness, or injury, a contributor to SHA may find themselves not entitled to an assistive device despite having faithfully contributed to the cover. This reality raises serious concerns about equity, fairness, and the promise of universal health coverage in Kenya.
Today, this petition has been formally submitted to the Social Health Authority Health Benefits and Tariffs Advisory Panel, the Social Health Authority leadership, and the Ministry of Health. Kenya’s commitment to universal health coverage must mean healthcare for everyone. A health system that leaves out assistive devices leaves out millions of Kenyans who rely on them to live, learn, work, and participate fully in society.
We therefore call on the Social Health Authority and the Ministry of Health to ensure that assistive devices are fully integrated into the SHA benefits package so that no Kenyan is left behind.
For more information and interviews, contact Mathias T. Kinyoda.
Mobile: +254 786 725 434, Email: [email protected]
Signed by:
#HumanIsMyID Alliance, Mirror Arts, Consortium of Disabled Persons Organizations in Kenya (CDPOK), Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW), United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK), Kenya Society for the Blind (KSB), Different Ability Initiative (DAI), Inclusion Champions Society (ICS), ZipCare Women Initiative, Become Initiative, Nuero Kids Warriors, Empowered Women with Disabilities, Ablerise Africa Society, Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK), Feminist for Peace, Rights and Justice Centre, and Amnesty International Kenya