The Kenya National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) wants all Kenyans above 18 years old who do not have NHIF cover to be denied essential government services.
In the new law yet to be passed by Parliament – millions of Kenyans risk missing on important government services.
There are every signs that the law could pass in parliament – which means every Kenyan of adult age will have no option but to take up NHIF cover.
According to the NHIF Amendment Bill (2021), a proof of an active NHIF membership will be a mandatory requirement just like the Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Some of the services non-members are likely to miss out on include.
- Registering and transferring land titles or getting their development plans approved.
- They will also miss out on registration of business names and companies.
- They will be denied customs clearing and forwarding services
- Transfer and licensing of vehicles
- Business persons will be barred from supplying goods and services to the state.
- barred from opening accounts with financial institutions and underwriting insurance policies.
- Residents without NHIF will be left in the dark as they will not be able to pay deposits for power connections.
“We are looking at tying the active membership of NHIF to other services just like KRA PIN is for those going for things such as opening business or seeking government tenders,” reiterated NHIF Chief Executive Officer, Peter Kamunyo.
The good news is that monthly contributions for informal workers will be reduced from the current Ksh500 to Ksh300.