Duale moves to shield ex-NHIF staff from pay cuts in SHA transition

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. [File, Standard]

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has assured staff moving from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) that none will lose their jobs, and those redeployed to the Public Service Commission (PSC) will retain their current salaries and grades.

The government transitioned from NHIF to SHA on October 1, 2024, under the Taifa-Care programme, aiming to expand access to affordable healthcare.

Duale said the ministry was aware many staff previously posted to ministries and the PSC faced pay cuts of up to 80 to 90 per cent during the transition.

“Let me be clear, no staff will lose their job, and those redeployed if not absorbed by the SHA will go with their current grades and remuneration,” said Duale.

The transition has raised concerns among NHIF staff about job security, possible redundancies, and a mismatch between existing skills and new roles under SHA. Some fear displacement as restructuring could make certain roles obsolete or duplicated.

“There is a lot of uncertainty for staff, and we understand the anxiety this can create,” he said.

He explained that SHA recruitment is being conducted under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 (SHI Act), guided by merit, competitiveness and transparency.

“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,” noted Duale.

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Qualified and eligible former NHIF staff will receive priority consideration during recruitment, while those not absorbed will be redeployed within the wider public service on a personal-to-holder basis, ensuring they retain their current salaries.

Duale acknowledged that the transition process can be complex and may require staff to undergo additional training to adapt to SHA systems and structures.

He added that prolonged uncertainty can affect morale and productivity, urging staff to remain customer-focused during the transition.

“Serving Kenyans diligently is the duty of each one of us, in every role we hold,” he noted.

The government has begun verifying qualifications to ensure that only individuals with genuine documents are absorbed into SHA and the public service, with Duale warning that those using forged papers will face legal action.

SHA now covers over 24 million Kenyans as part of the government's efforts to deliver accessible and comprehensive healthcare across the country.