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President William Ruto has officially rebranded the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to Taifa Care, highlighting its essential role in ensuring Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all Kenyans.
During his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, the president expressed confidence that the new model would deliver efficient and effective healthcare services to the public.
Ruto emphasized that the previous National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) had primarily benefited salaried employees, leaving out the majority of Kenyans who could not afford it. He also noted that Taifa Care offers a comprehensive benefits package that is accessible to all citizens.
Under the new system, the government deducts 2.75% from an individual’s gross salary, with a minimum contribution of Ksh 300. Employers are required to remit these contributions by the 9th of each month.
“With Taifa Care, all citizens are eligible for healthcare services as soon as they register. I encourage every Kenyan to take the crucial step of registering now, to ensure reliable healthcare for themselves and their families,” Ruto stated.
He also reassured the public that the program had thoroughly calculated the costs of healthcare services to ensure timely and effective delivery.
Currently, more than 15 million Kenyans have enrolled in Taifa Care, and 60% of employers have transitioned to the system.
“Once the transition from NHIF is complete and SHIF becomes fully operational, Kenya will have a healthcare system that guarantees dignity, peace of mind, and equitable access for every citizen, something we’ve never had in our 60 years of independence,” the president declared.
However, since the launch of Taifa Care on October 1, 2024, concerns have been raised regarding its effectiveness, with some patients unable to access healthcare services. Critics have also accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of rushing the rollout of the Ksh 104.8 billion system, despite warnings of potential issues, and have questioned the haste with which the government pushed forward with its implementation.
