Kindiki Promises Review of SHA Payments to Address Concerns of Kenyans
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured Kenyans that the government will review the means-testing tool used by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
His announcement comes just days after Members of Parliament (MPs) raised concerns that the system is flawed and does not serve Kenyans effectively.
SHA applies a means-testing method to evaluate the financial ability of households, particularly those without fixed salaries, to determine their required health insurance contributions.
The system takes into account factors such as housing, access to essential services, household size, and other socio-economic conditions.
Speaking on Saturday, February 1, during the launch of the Strategic Plan 2024-2027 in Embu County, Kindiki emphasized that the review aims to ensure that low-income earners, including small-scale traders (mama mbogas) and motorcycle taxi operators (boda boda riders), are not overburdened by high contributions.
“I want to assure Kenyans that the government will reevaluate and adjust the means-testing tool for Taifa Care.
We must ensure that boda boda riders and others in the informal sector are not required to pay amounts beyond their financial means,” Kindiki stated.
The review will focus on determining fair contributions for Kenyans without formal salaries, especially amid complaints about the 2.75% mandatory deduction from salaried employees’ pay slips for SHA contributions.
The inconsistency in contributions has sparked debates, with many questioning how the government is managing the scheme.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, one of the lawmakers who have been vocal about the issue, questioned the effectiveness of the scheme. “Why do we have 18 million registered members, yet only about four million are actually making payments?
These are issues that need urgent attention,” she said during a meeting with Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai, SHA Acting Chief Executive Officer Robert Ingasira, and board chairman Abdi Mohamed in Naivasha earlier this week.
Despite mounting criticism, Kindiki defended the government’s position, reiterating that the scheme would continue to improve to ease financial strain on Kenyans.
However, he did not mention any plans to reconsider the 2.75% salary deduction for employed Kenyans, who continue to bear the highest burden of contributions.
The concerns raised by MPs reflect growing frustrations with the new healthcare system. During a bipartisan meeting in Naivasha, lawmakers set aside their political differences to challenge President William Ruto’s administration on SHA’s operational inefficiencies.
Leading the criticism, Millie Odhiambo suggested that the government should give SHA a trial period of six months.
If the scheme fails to address concerns, she proposed reverting to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which SHA replaced.
“The Principal Secretary has a good vision, but the problem lies in execution. I suggest that you allow SHA to run for six months, and if it still struggles, we should go back to NHIF,” Odhiambo stated.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, a strong critic of the government, dismissed SHA as a “scam,” arguing that the public was not adequately consulted before its introduction.
“This scheme is unreliable due to system failures and slow service delivery. SHA is nothing but a scam that should be scrapped altogether.
Many Kenyans, including cancer patients and those battling chronic illnesses, are suffering because of its inefficiencies,” Salasya lamented.
Despite the pressure from lawmakers, Kindiki stood firm on the government’s commitment to making SHA work. He praised the 18 million Kenyans who have already registered and encouraged more to enroll.
“Our goal is to expand coverage so that every Kenyan will have access to healthcare through a medical card,” Kindiki affirmed.
His remarks indicate that while the government acknowledges concerns over SHA’s implementation, it remains determined to push forward with the scheme, hoping that adjustments to the means-testing process will make it more inclusive and beneficial for all Kenyans.
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