A total of 12.5 million people have successfully enrolled for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), even as debate rages on over the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

The latest data from the Ministry of Health (MOH) seen by Swala Nyeti, also reveals that a total of 9.9 million Kenyans have successfully transitioned from NHIF to the Social Health Authority (SHA).

This comes as the health ministry continues to operationalise the Social Health Insurance Act, No. 16 of 2023 (SHIA) following the establishment of the Social Heath Authority (SHA).

The new health insurance came into effect on October 1, 2024 after MOH published a notice publicising the transition from NHIF to SHIF and providing for the registration of employees.

All employers were obligated to register employees and their dependants with SHA via the SHA Employer Portal by October 1, 2024 for them to enjoy the newly crafted benefits with the September 30, 2024 being the last date of admission under NHIF.

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According to the ministry, all payments received on or before October 9, 2024 shall be credited to NHIF, and cash received from November 9, 2024 henceforth credited to SHIF.

In September, Dr Barasa said the government had set aside Sh6.1 billion for SHA even as its full implementation needs Sh168 billion, pledging to improve the system as it evolves and more funds are secured.

The government has partnered with Safaricom to digitalise healthcare services in an effort to boost efficiency and data management in a move it says will provision of healthcare. 

 This comes as Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who was backed by activists Eliud Matindi and Magare Gikenyi, filed a petition in court on Monday seeking to halt the launch of SHIF.

Under a certificate of urgency, Omtatah also seeks to suspend the contract between the government and Safaricom Consortium citing lack of a law to operationalise the fund.

This also comes as an appeal by the government challenging a High Court decision declaring the Primary Health Care Act, Digital Health Act, and SHIA unconstitutional remains pending.