, NHIF board chairperson Michael Kamau said the change was necessary to help low-income earners who have been carrying the burden of contributing more to the scheme.According to current contributions, anyone earning a salary of Ksh100,000 and above pays a monthly contribution of Ksh1,700 . This is set to increase to Ksh2,700, according to the proposal.However, low earners who have been paying Ksh500 monthly will have a reduction in fees of up to Ksh300 to access health services.
For employed Kenyans, like Benson Wanyonyi, the increase in contributions is another painful moment, coming a few days after Ruto signed into law the controversial Finance Bill 2023 that seeks increased taxes including a monthly mandatory housing levy for those in formal employment.
In May, more than 300 hospitals, including private hospitals across the country, rejected the NHIF cards, accusing the insurer of non-payment.had not been paid more than Ksh20bn by NHIF , saying its funds had not been released by the Finance Ministry, and promising a change in the scheme. "We are committed to reforming NHIF and introducing a new social health insurance scheme that caters to the needs of all Kenyans. This scheme will be effective because we are developing an essential package and determining its cost," stated CS Health Nakhumicha S. Wafula during…