Makueni Health CEC Joyce Mutua and the department's Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mulei pose for a photo with beneficiaries of the Makueni Universal Health Coverage. Photo by Presley Kyalo. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
The Makueni County Government has officially launched Mutula Care, a county-backed Universal Health Care (UHC) programme aimed at providing comprehensive medical cover to thousands of vulnerable households through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), in a major step towards improving access to affordable healthcare.
Speaking during the launch, Makueni County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Health Joyce Mutua said the county had already enrolled and paid annual social health insurance premiums for more than 10,100 vulnerable households out of an initial target of 11,000 families.
According to Mutua, the county government has already allocated additional funding in the 2026/2027 financial year to expand the programme and increase coverage to more than 25,000 households.
"We worked closely with communities to identify the most vulnerable families through proxy means testing. Depending on the assessment, the county paid annual premiums ranging from KSh3,600 to KSh15,000 per household. The current cover runs until May next year, after which it will be renewed," she said.
She explained that the programme is designed to shield poor households from catastrophic medical expenses while promoting preventive healthcare.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries will access outpatient and inpatient services at all public health facilities across Makueni, including Level 2, 3, 4 and referral hospitals. The package also covers maternity services, renal treatment, mental healthcare, cancer treatment and other specialised services provided under the national Social Health Insurance Fund.
Mutua noted that although registration with the Social Health Authority (SHA) is free, households must contribute to the Social Health Insurance Fund to access comprehensive healthcare benefits. For vulnerable families, however, the county government has taken over that responsibility.
She said the programme would significantly reduce the county's expenditure on medical waivers by ensuring needy residents are fully insured before they fall ill.
"Previously, the county spent huge amounts on waivers for patients who could not afford treatment. By paying their insurance contributions in advance, we are ensuring they receive quality healthcare without financial hardship," she said.
The CEC further urged residents to register all eligible dependants under their SHA accounts, noting that many principal members had failed to include their spouses and children, limiting the effectiveness of the programme.
Each registered household will cover both parents and dependent children below 18 years, as well as children above 18 years who are still in school.
Mutua also encouraged young people to enrol in the scheme to increase healthcare coverage across the county.
The launch coincided with another major health initiative introduced by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.'s administration—a free ambulance referral programme that took effect on July 1, 2026.
Under the initiative, patients referred by qualified medical personnel to other health facilities within or outside Makueni County will be transported free of charge.
The service covers referrals to national facilities such as Kenyatta National Hospital, Kijabe Hospital and other specialised health institutions, easing the financial burden on patients and their families.
Chief Officer for Health Dr. Harvey Mulei Mbithi said beneficiaries had begun receiving Mutula Care cards, which will enable them to access healthcare services not only within Makueni but across the country.
He said residents who had not collected their cards during the launch could pick them up from designated health facilities within their respective health clusters.
"The previous medical card only allowed treatment within Makueni County. The Mutula Care card has no geographical limitation. A beneficiary can receive treatment in any hospital across Kenya whenever there is a referral because illnesses know no boundaries," Dr. Mulei said.
Residents who have already received the cards welcomed the initiative, saying it would transform access to healthcare.
Beneficiary Cosmas Kasio Nzioka described the programme as a major improvement over the previous health cover, saying it caters for outpatient services, inpatient treatment, medication, laboratory tests, ambulance referrals, specialised treatment and even services received outside Makueni County.
He praised Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the county health team for introducing what he termed a life-changing healthcare programme for residents.
Another beneficiary, Gregory Kasyoka Mutisya, said the new cover would save families thousands of shillings previously spent on consultations, laboratory tests, X-rays and medicines.
"We have struggled for years with medical bills. Every clinic visit meant carrying money for tests and treatment, sometimes spending over KSh5,000. With Mutula Care, we will use the money we previously spent on treatment to buy food and improve our families' welfare," he said.
The county government says the rollout of Mutula Care marks a significant milestone in its quest to achieve universal health coverage by ensuring vulnerable households have access to quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
