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Evaluating Public Policy Communication Strategies in Kenya’s Health Sector Reforms: An Analysis of the NHIF–SHA Transition in Kisumu County


Authors : Oganga George Onong’no; Dr. Yasin Kuso Ghabon

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yddumn3k

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/jp3hje8p

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb1492

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Abstract : This paper discusses the communicative success of the public policy in the community on local level in Kenya, considering specifically the case concerning the change of the National Health Insurance Fund into the Social Health Authority in Kisumu County. It is a well-known fact that effective communication is one of the most crucial factors of policy success as it defines the level of awareness, understanding, participation, and compliance among the citizens (Anderson, 2015). Based on the communication theory and policy literature, the paper will examine the channels employed in passing information, the level of community understanding, and structural and contextual issues including language barrier, low literacy rate, poor feedback system, and political interference. Empirical observations show that despite the use of various communication channels, there were still major gaps, which led to moderately high rates of enrollment and confusion among the population on the issue of eligibility and benefits. The results highlight the fact that communication is not just an enabling component of the policy implementation, but a key pillar of participatory governance. The research arrives at the conclusion that much better communication strategies that are people-centered are necessary to increase trust, accountability, and positive policy results on the grassroots.

References :

  1. Anderson, J. E. (2015). Public policymaking: An introduction (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  2. Mutibwa, D. H. (2019). Public communication and citizen participation in policy processes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of African Public Administration and Management, 11(2), 45–59.
  3. Lasswell, H. D. (1951). The policy orientation. In D. Lerner & H. D. Lasswell (Eds.), The policy sciences (pp. 3–15). Stanford University Press.
  4. Anderson, J. E. (2015). Public policymaking: An introduction (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  5. Lasswell, H. D. (1951). The policy orientation. In D. Lerner & H. D. Lasswell (Eds.), The policy sciences (pp. 3–15). Stanford University Press.
  6. McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail’s mass communication theory (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
  7. Mutibwa, D. H. (2019). Public communication and citizen participation in policy processes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of African Public Administration and Management, 11(2), 45–59.
  8. Ochieng, S. (2020). Challenges of public policy communication in devolved governments in Kenya. African Journal of Communication Studies, 5(1), 78–92.
  9. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2019). Effective governance and public communication for sustainable development. UNDP Policy Brief.
  10. SKF. (2025). The Latest on Kenya’s Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). Sollay Kenyan Foundation. https://www.sollaykenyanfoundation.org/the-latest-on-kenyas-social-healthinsurance-fund-shif/
  11. Kanyi, A. (2024). The Kenyan High Court delivers a judgment on the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 and the related acts.
  12. Kanyi, A., Njeri, W., & Muindi, C. (2024). The Kenyan High Court delivers a judgment on the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 and the related acts.

This paper discusses the communicative success of the public policy in the community on local level in Kenya, considering specifically the case concerning the change of the National Health Insurance Fund into the Social Health Authority in Kisumu County. It is a well-known fact that effective communication is one of the most crucial factors of policy success as it defines the level of awareness, understanding, participation, and compliance among the citizens (Anderson, 2015). Based on the communication theory and policy literature, the paper will examine the channels employed in passing information, the level of community understanding, and structural and contextual issues including language barrier, low literacy rate, poor feedback system, and political interference. Empirical observations show that despite the use of various communication channels, there were still major gaps, which led to moderately high rates of enrollment and confusion among the population on the issue of eligibility and benefits. The results highlight the fact that communication is not just an enabling component of the policy implementation, but a key pillar of participatory governance. The research arrives at the conclusion that much better communication strategies that are people-centered are necessary to increase trust, accountability, and positive policy results on the grassroots.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - March - 2026

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