Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has assured staff transitioning from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA) that no one will be rendered jobless.
Speaking on Tuesday, July 22, Duale acknowledged the anxiety among workers, particularly those who had previously been seconded to ministries and the Public Service Commission (PSC), where some suffered drastic salary cuts of up to 90 percent. He moved to dispel fears, stating that all staff will either be absorbed into SHA or redeployed within the public service.
“Let me be clear, no staff will lose their job,” Duale said. “Those redeployed if not absorbed by the SHA will go with their current grades and remunerations.”
The ongoing recruitment into SHA is guided by the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 (SHI Act), which emphasizes fairness, competitiveness, and integrity. Duale said the government is building the new institution from the ground up and is keen on hiring individuals based on merit and innovation.
“We are building a new organisation from the ground up, and this requires a new approach to talent acquisition that prioritises integrity, competence and innovation,” he explained.
Qualified former NHIF staff will be given priority in the recruitment process. For those who may not be absorbed through the competitive process, Duale reiterated that they will be redeployed across the wider public service without losing their current pay or job status.
In order to protect the integrity of the transition, the Ministry of Health has initiated a vetting exercise to verify the authenticity of academic and professional qualifications. Duale indicated that legal action would be initiated against individuals found to have forged documents.
He also urged transitioning staff to remain focused on delivering quality service to the public.
“Serving Kenyans diligently is the duty of each one of us, in every role we hold,” he said.
The SHA, launched under the Taifa-Care initiative on October 1, 2024, has already enrolled over 24 million Kenyans. The program aims to deliver affordable and accessible healthcare for all.
