Nairobi SHA registration hits 1.64M as county revenue rises to Ksh15.4B

Nairobi has registered over 1.64 million residents under the Social Health Authority (SHA), marking a significant increase in own-source revenue to Ksh15.4 billion, according to the latest performance scorecard presented by the administration of Governor Johnson Sakaja. This revenue figure represents a remarkable 92.5% growth over the past four years, growing from Ksh13.8 billion in the previous financial year to the current Ksh15.4 billion.

The county credits this growth to reforms such as digital revenue collection, the Unified Business Permit, NairobiPay, and LiquorPay. Notably, Nairobi has achieved this increase in revenue without introducing new taxes.

The SHA registration of over 1.64 million residents is part of a broader set of achievements highlighted in the scorecard, which covers various sectors including healthcare, education, roads, waste management, lighting, markets, and youth employment. In healthcare, the county has seen a surge in registered residents, with more than 1.64 million Nairobi residents now enrolled in SHA.

This figure is accompanied by several health reforms, including the strengthening of Level 4 and Level 5 hospitals through autonomous CEO-led management, the establishment of 23 neonatal and 20 adult intensive care units, and the recruitment of 50 dentists to expand dental services.

Education is another critical area of focus, with the county's Dishi na County program providing daily meals to 324,000 learners in 230 public schools across Nairobi's 17 sub-counties. This initiative has served more than 85 million meals over three years and is being considered for expansion to public day secondary schools. The Green Army program has also employed over 4,500 people in city cleaning and maintenance, with plans to make these positions permanent and pensionable.

The administration has also launched a new Green Nairobi Company to oversee city cleaning, waste management, and waste recovery.

Infrastructure development is a significant component of the county's performance record, with more than 300km of roads constructed or rehabilitated, 100,000 floodlights and streetlights to be installed, and 20 markets under construction or upgrading. The county is also undertaking stadia projects at Woodley, Kihumbuini, City, and Dandora.

Additionally, the Nairobi River regeneration programme includes the construction of 54 sewer tunnels, and the administration has engaged over 40,000 young people through various programs, while upgrading the Central Business District with cabro walkways and lighting. Support for creatives, such as free photography services, is also highlighted as a means to promote the creative economy.