The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has escalated efforts to recover millions in unpaid employee contributions from defaulting employers, partnering with the Council of Trade Unions (Cotu) to engage the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the process.
The initiative emerged during a two-day consultative workshop between NHIF leadership and Cotu officials at Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha, where officials highlighted systemic non-compliance by businesses, particularly in the floriculture sector.
Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli stated that the union would soon request the DPP's intervention to recover outstanding funds, accusing floriculture industry players of being the primary defaulters. 'Their days are numbered,' he said, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Atwoli also criticized Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki for forming a reform task force without union representation, warning that workers would reject any proposals lacking their input. 'We are not opposed to reforms but demand inclusion in this process,' he asserted.
NHIF Acting CEO Nicodemus Odongo confirmed the organization oversees 5,800 public and 2,000 private healthcare facilities, noting that non-remittance of contributions strains services. He emphasized initial outreach to defaulting institutions before legal action, stating, 'We have written to them and will take further steps to recover funds owed to employees.'
Cotu also called on national and county governments to improve public healthcare infrastructure, while acknowledging NHIF management's efforts despite recent corruption allegations against senior staff.
