Social Health Authority Board Chairman Abdi Mohamed/HANDOUT
Medical Services PS Harry Kimtai and Social Health Authority Board Chairman Abdi Mohamed have rallied MPs to lead campaign to register Kenyans with new health insurance.
Kimtai and Mohammed urged MPs to champion the programme in their constituencies, emphasizing its potential to provide equitable healthcare access.
They underscored the importance of sensitisation of SHA registration and its benefits, emphasising that increased enrollment would ensure every Kenyan has access to affordable and quality healthcare.
“We are calling on you as leaders to take this message to your constituents. Your endorsement and active involvement are critical to bridging the gap between the government and the people,” said Mohamed said.
Addressing MPs during their ongoing mid-retreat in Naivasha, Mohamed disclosed that while the Taifa Care programme has registered 22 million Kenyans, only four million are active, paid-up members.
The remaining 18 million have yet to contribute, a gap Mohammed attributed to poor communication, inadequate sensitisation, and financial hurdles.
Mohammed further urged legislators to educate the public on the benefits of joining the programme and paying premiums based on their ability to contribute.
“Educate the public on the importance of joining and paying the premium based on their ability to pay,” he added.
On his part, Kimtai reiterated that SHA is transformative and aimed at reducing healthcare burden on vulnerable populations.
“This is about equity in health services. We are counting on your leadership to make this vision a reality,” the PS said.
SHA Acting CEO Robert Ingasira acknowledged challenges in communication and outreach efforts but appealed to MPs to become goodwill ambassadors.
He noted that, despite setbacks, there was room to register more Kenyans and pledged that gaps in service delivery were being addressed.
“I thank all members whom we worked closely together during the festivities to shove up the numbers that now we stand at 22 million members registered under the programme. There is still room to register more Kenyans under this program,” said Ingasira.
“There are indeed challenges but we are working around the
clock to resolve all of them,” he added.
Despite the appeal, the legislators were quick to push back, citing numerous challenges facing the programme.
Key among their concerns were poor service delivery, poor communication, inadequate funding, unclear implementation frameworks, and the already-strained relationship between citizens and the healthcare system.
Leader of the Majority Kimani Ichung’wah, criticised SHA’s inadequate public outreach.
“Your communication is shambolic. MPs are mobilising Kenyans on their own volition because SHA is failing in its role. If Members of Parliament can’t explain the benefits, how do you expect villagers to understand?” he posed.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara described the programme as a “hard sell,” given its financial struggles and lack of transparency.