Gov't Gives Civil Servants Until October To Register Under SHIF

• The government is keen on sensitising the public to the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)
• Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said civil servants have until the end of October to register for SHIF
• SHIF, whose rollout had been challenged in court, would be ending the tenure of NHIF established in 1966

Eli Odaga, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - All civil servants have until the end of October 2024 to register under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

The directive was communicated by government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.

Mwaura stated the Ministry of Energy and ICT had been charged with enhancing internet supply in the health facilities.

For the registration of learners, the Ministry of Education will be in charge, Mwaura added.

“All civil servants are expected to be registered by October 1, 2024, with the Ministries of Energy and Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy required to support power and internet connections to health facilities across the country,” he said.

How many Kenyans have enrolled on SHIF?

Government data shows that thus far, over 860,000 Kenyans have already been enlisted in the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The rollout of SHIF by SHA was challenged in court in July.

Kenyans continued leveraging the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for medical services in the course of the case in the High Court in Nairobi.

A trio of judges declared on July 12 that SHIF, the new statutory health cover, was unconstitutional given that it was sanctioned without public participation.

Consequently, SHA, the body charged with managing SHIF, announced a pause until the court conclusively settled the matter.

According to the judges, there was a lack of public participation and the Act, which was to repeal the NHIF Act, has glaring irregularities.

They gave the National Assembly until Wednesday, November 20, to make the necessary changes and correct the law establishing SHIF.

SHIF was meant to succeed the NHIF, which was established in 1966 through the original Act of Parliament.

In its sunset days, the NHIF had been riddled with graft and other management concerns; the fund was at one point declared insolvent to offset medical bills for members.

What to know about SHIF

• President William Ruto's administration repealed the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to include three funds mandatory for everyone over 18.
• SHIF, according to the state, aims to revolutionise Kenya’s healthcare system by ensuring equity and comprehensive coverage for all citizens, including those previously left out by NHIF.
• The government urged all Kenyans, including those with irregular incomes, to contribute to the health scheme to ensure everyone benefits from a consistent health package.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke