Former CS Moses Kuria Demands Arrest of Uasin Gishu Health Head Over New Health Charges”
Moses Kuria, a former Cabinet Secretary and current Senior Advisor to the Kenyan government, has stirred controversy by demanding the arrest of Joyce Sang, the Chief Health Officer in Uasin Gishu County. Kuria’s statement came after Sang instructed county hospitals to charge patients for services, despite the ongoing transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
In a social media post on X, Kuria remarked, “Another candidate for jail,” reflecting the frustration of many who feel that the abrupt shift to SHIF is leaving vulnerable Kenyans without essential healthcare coverage. The directive affects all 192 health facilities in Uasin Gishu County, and residents who previously relied on NHIF now face unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
Sang’s decision, announced publicly on October 3, has escalated tensions, especially as Uasin Gishu is now the second county to implement these measures, following Meru County’s lead earlier this week. The ongoing SHIF rollout has been fraught with challenges, with some hospitals struggling to process approvals and even turning patients away. Many Kenyans who depended on NHIF for costly treatments, such as dialysis, are now left to foot the bill themselves.
The nationwide transition from NHIF to SHIF has sparked widespread criticism. Muthomi Njuki, Tharaka Nithi Governor and chairperson of the Council of Governors (COG) Health Committee, revealed that counties have not signed any Intergovernmental Participatory Agreement (IPA) with the national government. This lack of coordination has resulted in a growing rift between county and national authorities, leaving the future of healthcare services in Kenya uncertain.
Private and faith-based hospitals have also voiced concerns over the new SHIF contracts, with groups like the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) refusing to sign agreements due to unpaid debts from NHIF. As these hospitals hesitate to align with SHIF, patients are finding it increasingly difficult to access affordable healthcare.
As the debate rages on, Kenyans are grappling with the consequences of this rapid healthcare overhaul, with many questioning how they will afford the medical care they once took for granted.
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Former CS Moses Kuria Demands Arrest of Uasin Gishu Health Head Over New Health Charges”
