Leading insurers are battling for a Sh1.5 billion Nairobi County health coverage tender after a contract with Jubilee Insurance Company expired on July 28, 2024.
This was witnessed at the opening of six tender bids for the staff medical cover at City Hall on July 29.
AAR insurance presented the highest bid at Sh2.023 billion with a security of four million shillings.
Jubilee was second with a bid of Sh1.495 billion also with the standard security of four million shillings while First Assurance presented a bid of Sh1.479 billion.
Other bidders for the lucrative medical cover tender include Kenya Alliance with a Sh1.489 billion bid, Trident Insurance with Sh1.387 billion and Madison Insurance Sh1.751 billion, all with security of four million shillings.
Following the expiry of the medical insurance scheme and without an immediate replacement in place, Nairobi City County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Patrick Analo has instructed all the five county hospitals to offer free treatment to the 15,000 county employees and their families.
“This is to communicate that you are requested to put in place mechanism to ensure you treat our staff without charging them and their families, effective from 29th July, 2024,” said Analo in a memo directed to the Health CEC Suzanna Silantoi seen by the Star.
A Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) senior official said although the contract expired on the midnight of July 28, 2024, employees who are admitted would continue enjoying in-patient benefits for 30 more days.
He however criticised the county administration for waiting until the last minute to start the tender process.
City Hall will pick the company that will provide medical cover for the county employees after the tender committee presents an evaluation report.