Polygamous families to pay more for health insurance under SHIF

The new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) will hit polygamous marriages hard, as they will be forced to pay more to sustain their families in the insurance scheme.

The Health Ministry, appearing before the joint Parliamentary Committee on Health on Tuesday, found itself at odds with the lawmakers regarding the classification of men with two wives as having two households, irrespective of the number of dependents involved.

The regulations, under the Act, classify men with two wives as having two households and required to each pay for the deduction of 2.75% on gross pay as insurance.

The lawmakers questioned why the regulations ignore the right to a polygamous marriage yet it is allowed in the constitution while at the same time advocating for regulatory adjustments to ensure that polygamous marriages adhere to the same deductions criteria applied to monogamous relationships.

"You are actually going against the laws of Kenya that permits polygamy. If you treat a household with two wives as two households it is double jeopardy. Don't run away from the definition that wife is in singular....spouse does not mean it is one spouse," MP Julius Sunkuli said.

The health ministry however defended the regulations, noting that the Act aims to create equity across beneficiaries and ensure every Kenyan enjoys the medical premium.

"We are bringing equity even when you have two wives...you are paying school fees to all the kids, MoH official Abdi Mohamed said.

The lawmakers also raised concerns over immediate removal of a spouse from the cover and want the period extended to cater for situations where a spouse is expectant.

"It should not be immediately because what if the wife that you are removing is almost giving birth...give them at least six months ya kujipanga," Igambangombe MP Patrick Munene said.

The health ministry further presented regulations requiring Kenyans aged 25 years and above without a formal job to pay a mandatory Ksh.300 to the medical cover.

The regulations therefore require an adult to be in the primary parents cover until the age of 25.

"This Act and regulations will ensure you no longer go to those harambees for the sick constituents because we are handling all benefits across board," Health CS Susan Nakhumicha said.