Health ministry warns employers over unpaid SHA deductions

The Ministry of Health is warning employers over unpaid health insurance deductions, with over 44,000 firms said to owe billions to the Social Health Insurance Fund.

The warning came from Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga during the launch of a new digital health system, aimed at improving transparency, tracking payments, and curbing misuse of funds.

"We are doing an audit to make sure that we go to those facilities, we look at the list of people you have treated. Kama ulipata Ksh.40 million, we are also going to make sure you treat people. Kwa sababu kuna hospitali zingine pia unaenda hapo wanakuingiza kwa SHA, they treat you, but they don't give you the medicines, alafu sisi wanachama medicines. So we are tightening this system,” said Dr Oluga.

Social Health Authority CEO Mercy Mwangangi added, "Kama sisi wote kama Wakenya tutapata hii manufaa ya SHA, lazima tusaidiane tuweke pesa kwa kibeti."

Migori County was singled out, with only half of its health facilities compliant with SHA regulations.

"The national government is responsible for you, the county government is responsible for you, and in order for you to enjoy any other right, your health security is very important for yourself, to the nation, and to the world. It's also very important to God. A policy that is important, like SHA, SHIF, and digitalisation of our facilities, we must all support,” Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko said.

The government is urging full adoption of the system to enhance service delivery.

Authorities say the new platform will also ease payments and reduce out-of-pocket costs for residents.