SHIF: Kenyan MPs Question KSh 104b Healthcare IT System

• Safaricom is part of a consortium contracted to implement the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS)
• The National Assembly Health Committee questioned if the telecom giant was solely involved in the agreement to enhance the legitimacy of its consortium members
• Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi said Attorney General Dorcas Odour was not involved, making the deal unconstitutional

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The planned rollout of the KSh 104.8 billion Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS) under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has raised eyebrows among Kenyan Members of Parliament (MPs).

Why National Assembly Health Committee raised concerns

The system, which is a crucial feature of the Universal Health Programme, will be implemented over 12 years, with Safaricom PLC serving as the project's lead partner in the consortium.

Safaricom's leadership role in the consortium raises concerns, even though the company has stated that its investment in the project is limited to about 13%.

Robert Pukose, the chairperson of the National Assembly Health Committee, questioned if the giant teleco was solely involved in the agreement to enhance the legitimacy of its consortium members.

“Although Safaricom PLC’s role appears minimal, it seems to serve as the public face of the project, potentially masking the inexperience of its partners. From what we’ve seen, this looks like fraud in the making. That’s why we need full transparency before we make any decisions,” said Pukose, as reported by KBC.

Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi said Attorney General Dorcas Odour was not involved, making the deal unconstitutional.

“The Health CS did not inform the relevant authorities about this contract in line with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act,” Kibagendi noted, as quoted by Capital FM.

How is Safaricom investing in SHIF?

Safaricom is part of a consortium contracted to implement the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS).

The consortium, including Apeiro Limited and Konvergenz Network Solutions, will invest over KSh 104 billion over ten years to roll out, maintain, and support the IHTS.

Safaricom said it will provide digital solutions to enhance public health facilities, improve pharmaceutical supply chain transparency, and ensure secure healthcare data infrastructure.

When will SHIF be rolled out?

President William Ruto's administration will implement SHIF on October 1, 2024.

Health CS Deborah Barasa revealed that the state allocated KSh 6.1 billion to the Social Health Authority (SHA), which takes over from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) board.

However, Barasa noted that the allocation falls short of the KSh 168 billion needed to launch the new health scheme.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.