Kenya: Free healthcare set for July

A new scheme to pay hospital bills for all Kenyans will take effect on July 1, Health minister Charity Ngilu revealed this week. Ngilu said membership to the National Social Health Insurance Fund will be compulsory and free for poor Kenyans. Unlike in the past when medical cover was only available to people in formal employment, unemployed Kenyans and those in the Jua kali (informal) sector will now benefit, Ngilu said.