- Six in 10 Kenyans (61%) say they do not have any medical aid coverage. Only 39% say they are covered by some form of medical aid (Figure 1).
- Among citizens who lack medical aid coverage, a majority (59%) cite their inability to afford it as the main reason (Figure 2)
- More than three-fourths (78%) of Kenyans say they worry “somewhat” (21%) or “a lot” (57%) that someone in their family will get sick and will be unable to obtain or afford needed medical care. Another 11% say they worry “a little,” while only 10% express no concern (Figure 3).
- Among citizens who had contact with a public health clinic or hospital during the 12 months preceding the survey, nearly two-thirds (63%) say it was “difficult” (33%) or “very difficult” (30%) to obtain the medical care or services they needed (Figure 4).
- Nearly six in 10 Kenyans (57%) say the government should ensure that all citizens have access to adequate health care, even if it means paying higher taxes. Four in 10 (39%) oppose the idea. While a clear majority endorse universal health care, Kenya ranks 26th out of 28 surveyed countries in its support, well below the 70% average (Figure 5).
A majority of Kenyan citizens do not have any medical aid coverage to help pay their medical bills if they get sick, the latest Afrobarometer survey reveals. Most of those who lack health insurance say it’s because they can’t afford it.
An overwhelming majority of citizens also say they worry about being unable to obtain or afford medical care should someone in their family need it. Nearly two-thirds who sought care at a public health facility during the previous year indicate that it was difficult to obtain the services they needed.
A majority of Kenyans say the government should ensure that all citizens have access to adequate health care, even if it means raising taxes, although support for the idea is weaker in Kenya than in most other countries surveyed by Afrobarometer.
One reason for below-average support may be widespread resistance to tax increases, a factor underlying massive public demonstrations against Kenya’s Finance Bill in 2024. Survey findings show that large majorities of Kenyans oppose the recently introduced housing levy, higher taxes on petroleum products, and tax increases to curb government borrowing.