NAIROBI — Kenya’s government has pledged a seamless shift from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the newly formed Social Health Authority (SHA), in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s health financing system under its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Saturday confirmed that all NHIF staff would remain in place for at least six months or until new hiring at SHA is complete whichever comes first.
“This isn’t just about ticking legal boxes,” Mr. Duale said after a high-level consultative meeting with health and public service officials. “It’s about ensuring continuity and protecting the health services Kenyans rely on every day.”
The announcement comes amid concern over how the dissolution of NHIF—long Kenya’s primary public insurer will affect coverage and access, particularly for low-income families.
To calm fears, Duale stressed that service delivery will continue without interruption. “The Commission issued a firm directive,” he said. “All NHIF staff will continue to serve under SHA temporarily, and those who have formally asked for redeployment will be reassigned without delay.”
That process is due to begin this week, according to the Public Service Commission (PSC).
PSC Chairperson Antony Muchiri supported the move, saying the government’s plan reflects a careful balance between institutional reform and workers’ rights. “We are committed to fairness and stability during this transition,” he said.
Abdi Mohamed, Chair of the new SHA, said the authority is coordinating closely with the Ministry of Health and PSC to manage staffing without compromising quality. “This is a critical time,” he said. “We want Kenyans to know we’re focused on keeping health services running smoothly.”
The SHA was formally established in late 2024 as part of President William Ruto’s health reforms. It replaces NHIF with a model designed to widen access, reduce inequality, and improve accountability in the health system.
The government’s approach retaining NHIF staff on interim terms while gradually shifting to SHA’s framework is seen as a test of its broader ability to implement major reforms without destabilizing services.
“These resolutions mark a decisive step forward,” Duale added. “The focus now is to deliver on the promise of universal health care while protecting the people and systems already in place.”
As of now, SHA’s operations will run alongside the familiar NHIF structure to ensure continuity, but all administrative authority has formally shifted to the new agency. More announcements on enrolment and contributions under SHA are expected in the coming weeks.
