As the 2.75 per cent deduction for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) continues to draw ire from lawmakers, MPs are calling for an urgent review of the scheme, citing persistent challenges in accessing medical services.
Despite Kenyans paying higher contributions under the new scheme, they argue, the promised improvements in healthcare delivery have not materialised.
The issue came to a head during a tense session in Parliament on Thursday, where MPs locked horns with health officials, including Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai, Social Health Authority (SHA) acting CEO Robert Ingasira, and SHA board chairman Abdi Mohamed.
Amidst the heated exchanges, MPs raised concerns that the scheme is not living up to its promises.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Eva Obara was particularly vocal, leading the charge for a reassessment of the 2.75 per cent deduction.
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“Having tested the system, we need to reduce the 2.75 per cent of the gross income contribution because we have seen what it can do. The people with payslips are suffering. We cannot continue like this, we need to do something,” she said, stressing the hardships faced by workers who continue to struggle with inadequate healthcare despite paying higher premiums.
Her sentiments were echoed by several other MPs, including Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, who highlighted the disconnect between the law’s intent and its impact.
"People, including Members of Parliament, are now realising that so much is collected from them, but the services are not commensurate. It's time for a review,” Mulu said, pointing to the growing dissatisfaction with the SHIF’s performance.
Proposing a way forward, Kitui Rural MP David Mwalika suggested slashing the deduction from 2.75 per cent to 1 per cent to relieve the financial burden on workers.
He also floated an alternative: increasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) by 1 per cent, with the extra funds dedicated to healthcare and affordable housing.
“With this, all Kenyans will contribute to the scheme without those working feeling the pain,” Mwalika argued, offering a potential compromise that could ease the strain on workers while ensuring that healthcare funding remains steady.
The debate took a more personal turn when MP Vincent Musyoka Mboni questioned the fairness of the deductions.
“Why should I be deducted Sh360,000 per year for something that I'm not going to use? They tell us that those who cannot contribute will benefit, but they are still coming to us for help and being turned away in hospitals,” Mboni said, reflecting the frustration of many Kenyans who feel they are paying into a system that is not benefiting them.
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo also raised doubts about the effectiveness of the SHIF, pointing to the continued need for MPs to assist their constituents with medical expenses despite the increased deductions.
"Even with the higher deductions, we are still seeing people being turned away from hospitals," he said, further highlighting the shortcomings of the current system.
The clash between lawmakers and health officials underscores the growing frustration with the SHIF system, with many now questioning whether the scheme, as it stands, can truly meet the needs of Kenyans.
In light of these developments, it is clear that the future of the SHIF depends on a swift and effective review.
While the scheme’s original intent was to provide universal healthcare coverage, the ongoing challenges faced by Kenyans suggest that more must be done to ensure that contributions lead to tangible benefits for the public.
The question now remains: will policymakers heed the calls for change before the system becomes a source of further frustration?
