CS Barasa: Kenyans can challenge SHIF deductions

The CS explained that all concerns raised by the public will be reviewed to come up with an effective solution. 

"In case you're not comfortable with that, just contest and we will look into it. We will be monitoring the turnaround time but someone will have to validate and ensure the concerns are in synchrony with what someone has shared," she said during an interview on KTN. 

The CS was responding to a question from a Kenyan who wondered why they paid Ksh.1,030 to SHIF and yet they are supposed to pay Ksh.300.

According to the law, Kenyans are required to pay 2.75 per cent of their gross salary with a minimum deduction of Ksh.300. 

To clear confusion regarding SHIF and Taifa Care, the CS noted that Taifa Care is the umbrella body that houses SHIF. 

"Taifa Care is the overall Universal Health Coverage. Community Health Level, Primary Care, all levels of care, looking at the health products, human resources for health, and an enabling environment which is the digital health platform; that whole system is Taifa Care," she remarked. 

CS Barasa added that the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) was necessary to provide equal access to health services.

Under NHIF, Kenyans made a voluntary contribution of between Ksh.150 to Ksh.1,700 for salaried workers and Ksh.500 for self-employed. 

"Previously NHIF was biased. Only 20 per cent of our population could access services; the employed and the few who could afford them. Now we are looking at affordable, accessible, quality services leaving no one behind," she highlighted.