NHIF begins roadshows targeting informal sector in Nairobi

NHIF will on Tuesday begin its roadshows in Nairobi targeting the informal sector as part of the effort to sensitise, get feedback and reduce the number of defaulters in the sector.

The caravan will be flagged of at the NHIF headquarters by the board chair Michael Kamau and the acting CEO Samson Kuhora.

As per the programme, the team will on Tuesday visit Kamujungi, Gikomba, Grogon, River Road and Ngara.

On Wednesday the team will visit City Stadium, Landimawe, Industrial Area, Burma Market, Juakali, Shauri Moyo, Uhuru Market, Buruburu shopping centre, Kiambiu and interact with residents around Kwa Chief.

On Thursday, the roadshows will take place in Mlango Kubwa, Eastleigh, Jogoo Rod, Donholm, Taj Mall and hold a mega roadshow in Pipeline.

The caravan will then on Friday visit Kariobangi North, Kariobangi South, Mutindwa, Umoja, Kangundo Road, Komarock and Bee Centre with a culmination of a free medical camp on Saturday at Kariobangi matatu terminus.

“For the routes we have not listed, we have a plan to visit them to ensure we have more people covered under NHIF,” Head of Corporate Communication and Marketing Phyllis Nyakiba said.

The roadshows will be targeting the informal sector (Jua Kali) and are aimed to sensitise the target audience about NHIF, its products and services and highlight the importance of health insurance.

A report by the fund released in January showed that 8.8 million Kenyans had defaulted on their monthly contributions by June 2022.

Members of the informal sector pay voluntary contributions of Sh500 a month to the NHIF while those in the formal sector contribute between Sh150 and Sh1,700 every month, depending on the salary scale.

The new proposal to have members contribute 2.7 per cent of their income will see the payment drop to Sh300 for some members depending on their income.

Registered members who have defaulted on the monthly premiums are usually locked out of utilising their insurance covers for hospital bills.

Defaulted premiums condemn members to out-of-pocket expenses to settle the bills, with NHIF requiring them to settle the arrears first.