Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development Justin Muturi has ordered the establishment of Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) desks at Huduma Centres across the country.
In a statement shared via his X account on Monday, December 2, 2024, Muturi said this move aims to clear confusion surrounding SHIF and its managing body, the Social Health Authority (SHA), and make it easier for Kenyans to access information and services related to the program.
Muturi acknowledged the public’s uncertainty about the program, which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). He emphasized the need for clarity and accessibility.
“I recognize that there has been confusion around SHIF and the Social Health Authority (SHA). To bridge this gap, I have directed that all Huduma Centres across the country establish SHIF desks, ensuring every Kenyan can easily access information and register for this transformative program,” Muturi stated.
The SHIF program, officially launched on October 1, 2024, is a part of the government’s universal healthcare agenda.
— Hon. Justin Muturi, EGH (@HonJBMuturi) December 2, 2024
SHIF to Taifa Care
During his State of the Nation address on November 21, President William Ruto referred to the SHIF program as Taifa Care, further fueling the confusion.
He highlighted that Taifa Care is designed to provide universal healthcare access, ensuring inclusivity for all Kenyans, regardless of their employment status.
“The shift from the National Health Insurance Fund model to Taifa Care is fundamental and radical in both scale and character,” he said, emphasizing its broader scope compared to the NHIF.
The president explained that while NHIF primarily catered to salaried workers and those able to afford premiums, Taifa Care extends coverage to every Kenyan, including individuals in informal employment and the unemployed.
“NHIF served a few salaried Kenyans and those who could pay, but Taifa Care covers every Kenyan regardless of their employment status,” Ruto noted.
Outlining Taifa Care’s benefits, the president described it as a fairer healthcare system aimed at reaching all Kenyans. He noted that NHIF, despite its limited scope, accumulated significant debts due to mismatches between contributions and healthcare costs.
“Secondly, despite serving a limited class of citizens, NHIF nevertheless accumulated billions of shillings of debt because of misalignment between contributions and the actual cost of healthcare,” he remarked.
President Ruto underscored Taifa Care’s focus on efficiency and timely service delivery. He highlighted its immediate eligibility for healthcare services upon registration, contrasting it with the NHIF’s waiting period.
“Taifa Care has undertaken an accurate costing of all healthcare-related goods and services, in order to provide timely, effective, and efficient service to everyone. Additionally, the NHIF had a waiting period, lasting between registration and eligibility for services. Under Taifa Care, citizens are eligible for all services upon registration. I urge every Kenyan to take the most important step in securing dependable healthcare for themselves and their families: register now or at the earliest opportunity,” he said.
Ruto also noted Taifa Care’s efforts to broaden healthcare access, including the introduction of free primary healthcare at dispensaries, health centres, and hospitals. Emergency services, such as ambulance care, are now being provided at no cost.
“For the first time in our nation’s history, free primary healthcare is increasingly becoming available at dispensaries, health centres and hospitals. Ambulance and emergency services are also slowly but surely being made available at no fee. Under Taifa Care, we have introduced a comprehensive benefits package that brings specialised care, such as cardiothoracic surgery, within reach for many Kenyans, without the burden of financial strain,” he explained.
