Kenyan chamas and informal savings groups, traditionally used for investments, are being highlighted as a potential solution to transform healthcare access in the country. By pooling resources, these groups could make medical insurance affordable for millions, addressing a significant gap in healthcare coverage.

• More than 80% of Kenyans belong to a chama or SACCO, yet fewer than 20% have medical insurance.
• The collective model could enable chamas to secure medical cover at rates inaccessible to individuals, with a group of 20 people contributing KES 1,000 a month potentially unlocking inpatient cover of up to KES 1 million per member.
• Products like JubiAfya Micro Health Cover are making health insurance more accessible to small groups, offering inpatient protection up to KES 1 million.
• Kenya’s 300,000 chamas and SACCOs represent a strong financial network that could significantly impact healthcare access if they integrate health protection into their activities.
• The article was written by Doughlas Mbugua, Manager Emerging Markets at Jubilee Health Insurance.