Have faith, SHIF will soon be efficient: President Ruto tells Kenyans

Speaking in Kwale during the 61st Mashujaa Day celebrations, President Ruto asserted that his government has ensured that the goal to achieve effective universal health coverage will be realised through the new health scheme.

He noted that the Social Health Insurance Fund will permanently transform the provision of healthcare to enable all Kenyans to access preventive and curative services.

"I call on all Kenyans to have faith and a little patience. In a matter of weeks SHIF will be serving us efficiently and making the dream of Universal coverage come true," noted Ruto.

"Through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), citizens will contribute and access comprehensive healthcare benefits. The value for money in this scheme will be undeniable once the migration from the National Health Insurance Fund is completed and the fund is fully operational." 

He also clarified that all workers under the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will be transitioned to the SHIF, allaying fears of workers losing their jobs.

"I am aware that during the transition period, employees of the NHIF will be managed in accordance with the provisions of SHIF," Ruto noted. 

"I want to assure all the former employees and those now serving under our new outfit that no one will lose their job and I appreciate their dedication and service during this transition."

President Ruto has stated that as of the beginning of October, 12.9 million Kenyans have been registered with SHA.

He added that all public health institutions and 50% of private facilities have already enrolled to provide services. 

"We urge private hospitals to expedite the contracting process to enable us to complete the final phase of the Universal Health Coverage rollout."

Ruto assured that Ksh.3 billion has been disbursed to settle all outstanding payments to service providers and accelerate the UHC rollout.

The Ministry of Health clarified on October 3, 2024 enrolment of Kenyans into SHIF without their consent was legal amid uproar from Kenyans.

This was after NHIF members had been getting SMS messages that they had been automatically registered for the controversial new plan.

Health Principal Secretary (PS) Harry Kimtai said that "the laws as per legal notice 147 of 2024 provided for the transition of all registered and verifiable NHIF members into SHA.”

The controversial insurance fund will see Kenyans paying a monthly deduction of 2.75 per cent of their income with the base contribution being Ksh.300.