The directive, which comes amid ongoing reforms in the health sector, is expected to see thousands of inmates enrolled into the national health scheme, ensuring they can receive treatment without delays linked to funding or administrative hurdles.
Officials say the plan will also ease pressure on prison medical units, many of which have struggled with limited resources and overcrowding.
Speaking during a recent government briefing, Interior and National Administration officials noted that access to healthcare is a constitutional right that should extend to all persons, including those in custody.
They added that integrating inmates into SHA will help standardise medical care and improve disease surveillance within prisons.
The move comes at a time when Kenya is expanding SHA registration to cover vulnerable groups, including informal sector workers and those in remote areas.
By bringing prisoners into the system, the government aims to ensure no one is left behind as the country transitions fully from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new authority.
Human rights organisations have previously raised concerns over the state of healthcare in correctional facilities, citing shortages of medicine and delayed referrals to public hospitals. Some activists have welcomed the latest directive, saying it could help address long-standing gaps if implemented effectively.
However, others have called for clarity on how the registration will be funded and whether prisons will receive additional support to handle the increased administrative workload.
As SHA registration continues nationwide, the inclusion of inmates marks a significant policy shift that could reshape healthcare delivery within Kenya’s prison system in the months ahead.
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