The National Treasury has allocated funds for a dedicated medical insurance scheme for Community Health Promoters (CHPs), marking the first time such a scheme will be funded through the national budget.
The Treasury has proposed Sh396 million for CHP health insurance in the financial year starting in July, a provision that was not included in previous budgets.
This marks a shift from previous arrangements. In 2025/26, for example, the government set aside Sh3.2 billion for CHP stipends and operational support, but made no specific provision for medical insurance. The new standalone allocation is the first explicit budgetary commitment to protecting CHPs against health risks associated with their work.
“As a country, we value the services offered by our health workers. To build workforce capacity, I propose Sh3.2 billion for stipends and Sh396 million for medical insurance for Community Health Promoters,” Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said.
Safety net
CHPs are trained community members who serve as a link between communities and formal health facilities. Often travelling on foot or by motorcycle, they conduct home visits, provide health education, support disease surveillance and facilitate referrals, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas.
Kenya has deployed more than 107,800 CHPs across all 47 counties, with each promoter responsible for about 100 households. Shared across the workforce, the Sh396 million allocation amounts to approximately Sh3,672 per CHP annually.
Since their formal rollout in October 2023, CHPs have reached 2.7 million households within four months, delivering services to an estimated 13.5 million Kenyans and screening more than 1.1 million people for high blood pressure.
Despite their growing role, CHPs have historically operated with limited support. Stipend payments only began in February 2024 under a cost-sharing arrangement between the national and county governments. Under the arrangement, each level of government contributes Sh2,500 per month, providing a total stipend of Sh5,000.
In practice, however, many counties pay between Sh2,000 and Sh3,500, and the amounts are often inconsistent. Until now, medical insurance has not formed part of the CHP benefits package.
The proposed allocation addresses this longstanding gap. CHPs working in remote and challenging environments face occupational health risks but have lacked an institutional safety net in the event of illness or injury.
Beyond improving welfare, insurance coverage could strengthen workforce retention and motivation, helping sustain continuity in community-based health services.
