All Kenyans from 18 years and above in both formal and informal will contribute to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Each household will be required to contribute Sh500 to the NHIF in new reforms as the government rolls out health cover for all Kenyans.

The Amos Kimunya-Bill will see employers contribute equally to the fund for employees on their payroll.

“Employers are required to contribute an amount equal to that which they have remitted on behalf of their employees,” read the bill in part.

Parliament also approved heavy penalties for employees who fail to remit the fund or deduct it from the salaries of their employees.

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The legislators made it mandatory for all adults to be contributors to the NHIF through the NHIF amendment bill.

“contributions will be by all Kenyans from 18 years and above in both formal and informal sectors,” the bill partly reads.

However, various sections of stakeholders have challenged the proposed changes citing the legislation’s failure to consider unemployment statistics in the country, which include the majority of citizens aged 18 years and above.