Government Expands EduAfya Scheme to Cover All Students
The government has outlined plans to overhaul the contentious EduAfya scheme, aiming to include all school-going children under its health coverage.
In the 2025 Budget Policy Statement, the National Treasury emphasized the importance of robust institutional and strategic measures to expand the reach of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
As part of this agenda, the government is committed to revitalizing the EduAfya scheme, which was discontinued on December 31, 2023, leaving millions of high school students without medical insurance.
EduAfya’s Early Success and its Closure
Introduced in 2018 during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, EduAfya was facilitated by the Ministry of Education and initially covered over 3.4 million learners.
Between 2019 and 2022, the government invested approximately Ksh9.5 billion in premiums for the scheme.
However, the programme came to an abrupt halt in 2023, following the defunct National Health Insurance Fund’s (NHIF) decision to cease its Ksh4.5 billion annual funding. This left millions of learners unprotected.
Future of EduAfya: Inclusion and Expansion
The Treasury’s proposal aims to ensure that the revamped EduAfya programme extends beyond secondary school students to encompass all school-going children.
According to the Budget Policy Statement, the government is focused on scaling up existing programmes to achieve this goal.
Officials reported that the new framework aligns with broader reforms under the Social Health Insurance Act of 2023, which replaced NHIF with three health funds, including the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Additionally, the government announced plans to enhance the Linda Mama Programme, expanding it beyond prenatal care to include comprehensive postnatal services.
The Afya Bora Mashinani scheme, which involves over 100,000 community health promoters providing direct healthcare services in rural households, is also set for reinforcement.
Strengthening Medical Supply Chains
To improve the distribution of medical supplies, the government intends to establish Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) regional distribution centers in key cities such as Kisumu, Embakasi, and Mombasa. This initiative aims to bolster the availability of medical resources nationwide.
Stakeholder Reactions
Parents and education stakeholders expressed relief at the government’s renewed commitment to student health. A parent representative said the decision to revive EduAfya is a step in the right direction, ensuring students’ health needs are met consistently.
Similarly, an education expert described the initiative as “a necessary investment in the future of Kenya’s youth and the broader health sector.”
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Impact Assessment
| Aspect | Pre-2023 Status | Proposed Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiaries | 3.4 million secondary school learners | All school-going children |
| Annual Funding | Ksh4.5 billion | Increased under UHC framework |
| Key Health Initiatives | EduAfya, Linda Mama | Enhanced and expanded coverage |
| Supply Chain Improvements | Limited regional access | New KEMSA centers nationwide |
The government’s initiative to revamp EduAfya is part of a larger strategy to ensure equitable health access for all school-going children, paving the way for a healthier and more secure future.
Government Expands EduAfya Scheme to Cover All Students
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