Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has hinted that Kenyans could begin contributing to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) next month.

The CS says that this follows a recent high court ruling that lifted orders against the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023.

“The President promised to lower contributions from KSh500 to KSh300 and we are ready to implement this. Within the next two to three weeks, Kenyans will start making their contributions to this fund,” CS Nakhumicha said in Kapsowar, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Public participation

Currently, the Ministry of Health is conducting public participation in the regulations that will guide the implementation of the Act. This, CS Nakhumicha says, is to avoid the very issues that landed the Ministry in court.

“I am happy the courts have allowed us to continue with the implementation of this programme. We are on course to delivering what we promised Kenyans,” she added.

With the new SHIF, salaried Kenyans will be deducted 2.75 percent of their salaries per month.

Unsalaried households, on the other hand, will pay 2.75 percent of their income per year, based on the assessment of the status. This assessment will take into account housing characteristics, access to basic services, household composition and other socio-economic aspects of the households.

With this plan, the least amount payable to the fund will be KSh300.

CS Nakhumicha has on many occasions insisted that the new programme will see the cost of treating serious conditions such as cancer and diabetes significantly lowered.