What NHIF Rules Will Mean For Low-Income Earners In Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept, 14 – President William Ruto during his inauguration speech revealed that contributions towards the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) will now be based on individual workers’ income.

While on the campaign trail, Ruto promised to review the structure of the contributions towards NHIF saying that it must serve Kenyans equally while emphasizing the need to assist Kenyans from poor backgrounds.

“Contributions will now graduated and will now be based on income,” he said.

Kenyans unable to pay the monthly rates will be eligible for waivers, with Ruto, while issuing his pledge during the campaigns saying that he would reduce minimum NHIF contributions from Sh 500 to Sh300.

“Our health agenda is premised on fundamental reform in the way healthcare is financed and provided. We shall reform the National Health Insurance Fund to make it a social health insurance provider, improve procurement of medical supplies, deploy an integrated state-of-the-art health information system, and most importantly, provide adequate human resources at all levels,” said Ruto.

Meanwhile, according to the NHIF Amendment Act, Kenyans above the age of 18 are compelled to pay a monthly premium of Sh500.

The Act also requires employers to make a matching contribution to the fund established under the Principal Act, equal to that which their employee is liable to contribute under the Principal Act, and not to deduct the same from the salary or remuneration of the employee.