Parliament in Session
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Members of Parliament (MPs) have raised significant concerns about President William Ruto's ambitious healthcare initiative, the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Designed to reform and replace the outdated National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the SHA has come under intense scrutiny for its operational shortcomings despite being backed by substantial funding. The assembly, which includes key health officials such as Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai and SHA’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Robert Ingasira, highlights urgent calls for reform and transparency. Many registered patients have reported being denied healthcare services due to administrative failures, often experiencing system downtimes and lengthy approval processes that leave them waiting days for essential medical care.
Lawmakers have demanded a comprehensive review of the SHA’s implementation, questioning the efficacy of its pre-approval protocols and their repercussions on patient well-being. Critically, there is a notable disconnect within the system; of 18 million registered members, only about four million are actively contributing. Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo proposes a six-month trial period for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), one of SHA's pillars, suggesting that a return to the NHIF may be necessary should deficiencies not be resolved.
"While the vision is clear, the execution is sorely lacking,” Odhiambo emphasizes, urging immediate action.
Frustrations voiced during the meeting liken the SHA system to a “scam,” primarily due to insufficient public participation prior to its rollout. This sentiment is prominently echoed by Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, who calls for accountability and expresses concern over the adverse impact on patients, especially those with chronic conditions. Kabondo Kasipul MP Eva Obara further assesses the current contribution rate of 2.75 percent from salaried workers, addressing the financial burden it poses on employees struggling within the system.
The issue of inconsistent service delivery also emerges as a focal point of criticism. Several parliamentarians note that the benefits under the new health fund are inferior to those previously provided by the NHIF. Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi questions the ongoing administrative challenges, asking how patients are expected to navigate these obstacles. The MPs have further expressed dissatisfaction with the responses from SHA's chairperson Abdi Mohamed who has instructed them to refer inquiries regarding service coverage to the SHA website.
This response is perceived as inadequate and dismissive. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah echoes the sentiment, arguing that the SHA's apparent lack of readiness indicates a significant deficit in capacity among its leadership. As public frustration builds, individuals like 59-year-old Grace Njoki Mulei have confronted Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa about the initiative's shortcomings. Despite these mounting criticisms, health officials steadfastly defend the SHA, asserting its importance as a key initiative aimed at providing affordable healthcare to all Kenyans.
Kimtai assures critics of efforts to automate claim processing within a timeframe of 48 to 72 hours, contingent upon securing additional financial resources for operational enhancements. The Parliament has tasked the Health Committee with meeting SHA representatives next week to facilitate further discussions, with a comprehensive report on the issues raised expected by February 11, 2025.