Murang’a Governor Kang’ata to Gift Couples Sh10,000 for Marriage and First Child

Murang’a County Government has allocated Sh200 million for the 2025/26 financial year to fund healthcare and social welfare under the Kang’ata Care programme, which targets vulnerable households.

The initiative, launched in 2023 with a similar budget, will bring the programme’s total investment to Sh400 million.

The Kang’ata Care programme provides comprehensive support, including full coverage of medical costs, a Sh100,000 funeral expense benefit, and up to Sh25,000 for secondary school fees for a deceased member’s dependent.

Additionally, it offers Sh10,000 to members upon legal marriage and another Sh10,000 upon the birth of their first child.

Programme Details and Eligibility

According to Eliud Maina, the county’s Health Chief Officer, Kang’ata Care currently supports 40,000 households, covering approximately 160,000 individuals.

“Principal members automatically qualify for the marriage and first-birth incentives,” Maina said. “The initiative aims to dignify the lives of vulnerable people, making them feel valued and supported.”

To qualify for the marriage benefit, members must present an authenticated marriage certificate.

“Even those in informal ‘come-we-stay’ unions can receive the Sh10,000 once they formalize their marriage,” Maina clarified.

If a beneficiary’s spouse dies and they remarry legally, the new marriage also qualifies for the benefit. For the first-birth incentive, a birth certificate is sufficient, with no DNA test required.

The programme covers members aged 25 to 75 and funds basic health needs, including dental, optical, ENT, and terminal illness care, outside the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Maina noted that the shift from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the SHA reduced some benefits, prompting the county to partner with a private insurer to sustain the programme’s offerings, including funeral expenses, wedding and birth incentives, and education support.

Addressing Policy Challenges

Maina acknowledged potential challenges, particularly around the definition of “first birth.”

For instance, cases involving twins, miscarriages, stillbirths, or infant deaths may require policy adjustments.

“We’re exploring these dynamics to ensure fairness. Legislation is not static, and we’ll propose amendments as needed,” he said.

Public Clarification

On April 15, 2025, the county government used its social media platforms to clarify that Kang’ata Care is not intended to boost Murang’a’s population, which was 1.05 million in the 2019 census.

“This is an insurance programme for vulnerable families, exclusive to Kang’ata Care members, not all Murang’a residents,” the post stated.

The Murang’a County Assembly has endorsed the programme. John Mwangi, chairperson of the Health Committee, confirmed that the budget will increase annually as enrollment grows.

Gichobe Mbatia, chairman of the Governance, Labour, Justice, and Legal Affairs Committee, praised the initiative as “innovative and transformational,” noting the straightforward criteria for identifying beneficiaries.

On April 14, 2025, Governor Irungu Kang’ata invited newly married members to claim their benefits via his official X account: “Are you in Kang’ata Care and officially wed? Claim your gift at Murang’a Level Five Hospital. It’s your right, paid for under insurance arrangements.”

Future Outlook

In March 2025, Kang’ata told Inooro FM that the programme had faced challenges due to the national health insurance transition but remains robust through private partnerships.

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu commended the county’s creativity in navigating SHA limitations, pledging to ensure funds are used appropriately.

The programme’s success has earned recognition, including a nomination for Governor Kang’ata for a health leadership award on March 27, 2024, and a devolution award for Murang’a on August 17, 2023, for its flagship initiatives.