A new public opinion poll has revealed that more than half of the Kenyan population does not have access to health insurance.
The opinion poll, dubbed 'Sauti ya Mwananchi' by Twaweza East Africa, showed that 68% of Kenyans do not have a health cover both private and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The poll, which was conducted in 2016 between June 7th and 28th, highlighted five barriers behind the massive numbers of Kenyans without health insurance.
Out of the 68% without health cover, 53% indicated that they could not afford the services despite recent improvements.
A section of respondents stated that they did not have access to health cover due to lack of awareness from the relevant bodies, accounting for 13%.
On the other hand, 12% of respondents stated that they were aware of the health insurance but did not understand how it works.
Lack of service providers in the locality accounted for 7% of those who do not have a health care cover.
A similar percentage of Kenyans think that having a health insurance cover was unnecessary in the long run.
Out of the 68% without heath insurance, 8% could give a specific reason why they had not taken up the service.
The poll was conducted to find out the view of Kenyans on the state of the healthcare system in the country, three years of devolution.