Kenya Records about 14,000 Annual Sickle Cell Births - Ministry of Health PS Dr. Ouma Oluga

Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga led the Ministry of Health in marking World Sickle Cell Day 2026 at Bunyala TVET College in Busia County with announcement of expansion of Sickle Cell disease benefits Under Taifa Care. The SHA benefit package now includes up to KES 70,000 annual support for red blood cell exchange, alongside expanded access to medicines, diagnostics, and safe blood.

Dr. Oluga noted that Kenya records about 14,000 annual sickle cell births, with more than 7,000 infants screened, over 800 health workers trained, and new policies including a National Sickle Cell Registry underway.

When it comes general SHA stats, there are currently 31.39 million Kenyans registered under the Social Health Authority, including 9.01 million under primary healthcare funding and 4.4 million under social health insurance.