Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has proposed amendments to restructure the Social Health Authority (SHA), including a flat KSh500 monthly contribution for every Kenyan. The bill targets operational and financial failures in SHA, aiming to make it self-sustaining.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya addressed a letter to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on April 11, proposing amendments to the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.
The core change shifts from income-based annual contributions to a uniform KSh500 monthly fee for all registered members, similar to the former NHIF system.
"SHA needs to be self-sustainable and not depend on exchequer funding by having a lot of money to support many Kenyans," Salasya wrote.
Salasya highlighted low compliance in the current setup, where only about 5 million of 29 million registered members actively contribute.
He seeks to reinstate the Linda Mama programme, introduce voluntary contributions for others or a national solidarity pool for the vulnerable, and merge SHA's three funds—the Primary Healthcare Fund, Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund—into one for efficiency.
The bill also proposes a new section requiring SHA to settle verified hospital claims within 60 days.
Ministry of Health records show over 30 million registered since 2024, with salaried members contributing 2.75% of gross pay and informal sector at least KSh300.
The proposal arises amid claims of irregularities in SHA, which the Health Ministry has dismissed.
