Public sector unions have firmly opposed the idea of transferring their medical scheme to private insurers, declaring their preference for the Social Health Authority (SHA) to manage their Ksh 6 billion fund. They argue that SHA provides a secure and government-controlled platform for their health coverage.
Drawn from the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS), Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), and Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), among others, the unions are demanding legislative amendments to protect the fund under SHA following the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah emphasized that the law must align with their demands, “That SHA Act must be amended to ensure this money is protected and implemented within the new scheme.”. At the same time, UKCS Secretary General Tom Odege underscored the unions’ commitment to keeping the funds under government management, adding:
“This is government money, and it must be invested in a government fund where we, as civil servants, have a say.”
In October, public sector unions issued a strike notice, demanding comprehensive medical insurance following the expiration of their civil servants’ scheme. The government responded by extending coverage until November 21, 2024, but tensions remain high.
George Gibore, representing clinical officers, reiterated the unions’ stance against private insurers:
“This money must be invested in government-managed infrastructure, specifically SHA, to ensure the continuity and security of the scheme.”
The unions also clarified that the Ksh 6 billion fund comprises medical allowances pooled by public servants, not taxpayer contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
With public participation underway for draft regulations, unions urge all public servants to engage in the process to safeguard their rights. The matter remains critical as unions, government representatives, and stakeholders work toward a long-term solution.
