COTU Sends Important Message to All Workers on New Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has rallied all Kenyan workers to support the newly introduced Social Health Authority for its promise of lower health insurance premiums and wider coverage.

In a statement on Thursday, September 26, COTU Secretary-General Dr. Francis Atwoli called on workers to sign up with SHA, noting that SHIF was cheaper compared to the old NHIF.

"The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) premiums are significantly lower for low-cadre workers compared to those charged by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). This adjustment benefits the majority of COTU (K) members who earn between Ksh. 15,000 and Ksh. 35,000," said Dr. Atwoli.

Mr. Atwoli noted that COTU has been vocal on appropriate and improved social security for workers, and is now seated on the SHA board to ensure this promise is honored.

Francis Atwoli

He promised to liaise with SHA so that the money is put to good use in offering good healthcare services to all contributors.

Atwoli admitted that SHA was still a growing mechanism but important, especially to workers who need improved health protection and promised that COTU would continue advocating for reforms in SHA so that the mechanism will become beneficial to all employees.

“Additionally, any misinformation about SHA should not alarm Kenyan workers. Reforms within NHIF, now defunct, were a result of COTU (K)'s advocacy for efficiency. We will continue pushing for reforms within SHA to ensure Kenyan workers derive maximum benefits," he noted.

The COTU (K) boss added that SHIF intends to expand its cover to include informal and vulnerable groups, arguing that this would cater to the universality of health access.

President William Ruto and COTU boss Francis Atwoli at a past event

He appealed to all workers in Kenya to join the SHA, arguing that for a long time, they have complained about a broken health system without contributing to how to fix it.

"Workers must step up, join the SHA, and hold the Authority accountable for delivering the health services they need and deserve," he concluded.

The Social Health Authority (SHA) was established in Kenya in October 2023, marking a change in the nation’s healthcare system as President William Ruto signed four new bills into law.

The bills include the Primary Health Care Act, 2023; Digital Health Act, 2023; Facility Improvement Financing Act, 2023; and Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.

It replaces the National Health Insurance Fund and is aimed at improving health service provision in the country.