This archive report was first published on 29 September 2021.
On September 29, 2021, the Kenyan government rolled out a health cover for all citizens, making it compulsory for each household to contribute Ksh. 500 to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
According to a bill tabled by majority leader Amos Kimunya, employers will be required to make an equal contribution to the fund for their employees, as the government moves towards attaining universal health coverage.
MPs have approved heavy penalties for employers who fail to remit to the fund or deduct the same from their employees' salaries.
The proposed changes aim to safeguard employees from having to pay double subscriptions, with employers expected to make a matching contribution equal to that made by their employee.
The bill also proposes to introduce empanelled healthcare providers, with the criteria for empanelment and contracting set by the health cabinet secretary and the national hospital insurance fund management board.
However, the proposed changes have been challenged by various stakeholders, including the employers' umbrella body FKE and the Central Organisation of Trade Union, who argue that the legislation did not factor in the unemployment statistics in the country.
