Kenyans to dig deeper into their pockets as government publishes new health laws

Kenyans will be forced to dig deeper into their pockets after the government on Thursday published the Social Health Insurance Fund Regulations 2023 meant to operationalise the new health laws.

The move comes despite the High Court on Monday halting the implementation and enforcement of the Social Health Insurance Fund Act 2023, the Primary Health Care Act 2023 and the Digital Health Act 2023 until a case challenging its legality is heard.

Justice Chacha Mwita of the Milimani High Court temporarily stopped the State from enforcing three new funds gazetted by Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha pending the determination of a case lodged in court by activist Joseph Enock.

The court order came a week after Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha gazetted the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 in readiness for the Universal Health Coverage rollout in January next year.

According to the newly published regulations, every Kenyan household whose income is derived from salaried employment will have to pay 2.75 per cent of the gross salary.

According to the regulations published by CS Nakhumicha, the amount payable every month shall not be less than Sh300.

However, for those not employed, the amount will be paid annually.

"The Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury shall deduct and remit the contributions of employees in the public service in the National Government and in a public office in the National Government to the Authority on behalf of the National Government by the ninth day of each month," the regulations said.

The Ministry of Health will liaise with the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs to see how to net non-payslip Kenyans into the contributions with the floor contribution being Sh300.

The Act, which repeals the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) was gazetted last week.