Cabinet Approves Scrapping NHIF, to be Replaced by Three New Insurance Funds

The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has been dismantled by the cabinet and replaced with three distinct funds - the Primary Healthcare Fund, Social Health Insurance Fund, and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund - as part of its efforts to speed up universal health coverage.

According to State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, these three funds have been created by restructuring the total health expenditure of Sh550 billion. However, the Primary Care Fund will be financed by the exchequer. The cabinet has also agreed to set fair maize prices to safeguard farmers from South Rift, Nyanza, Central, Eastern, and Coastal Regions from potential losses due to the expected bumper harvest. The government will provide mobile driers to help farmers cope with post-harvest losses as well as ensure the availability of quality and affordable inputs to sustain ample food production. Furthermore, the government will acquire at least one million bags of maize to maintain the nation's Strategic Food Reserve.

In the cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto, the Ministry of Agriculture was directed to find ways to properly store maize for strategic reserves. While maize farming looks promising, the sugar industry is still struggling due to a lack of cane. The Cabinet was informed of a plan to modernize equipment and overhaul factories to revive this ailing sector. Additionally, the Cabinet has also approved upgrading 13 technical and vocational colleges to National Polytechnic status including Maasai Technical Training Institute, Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology, and Sang’alo Institute of Science & Technology.

The cabinet announced that eligible students will have quick access to scholarships. It further disclosed that over 20 Heads of State and 30,000 delegates will attend the upcoming Africa Climate Summit 2023 in Nairobi to discuss climate change adaptation and solutions. The cabinet noted the success of Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift counties in reducing gun violence.

The cabinet observed that the government has digitized 94% of its services through the e-citizen portal to improve efficiency and service delivery. It divulged that Revenue collections have increased after the implementation of the 222222 single digital payment. The cabinet regretted the nationwide power outage and directed a review of the country's power distribution system to prevent future incidents.