On November 19th 2024, the Kenya union of clinical officers together with other unions in the civil service issued a press briefing pertaining to the funding for the Civil Servants` Medical Insurance.
In his part the KUCO GS Said that Civil servants relinquished their Medical allowances in 2011 in favour of a comprehensive cover and have since then been using the NHIF which has lapsed. It is noted that the transition to SHA was going to reduce the benefits civil servants are enjoying the under NHIF hence exposing them to substitute out of pocket, which is unlawful and, on the other hand the unions do not want any private insurers to provide the medical cover for their members.
Mr. Gibore cited the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 2007, the unions emphasized that it is the employer’s legal obligation—whether in the public or private sector—to provide medical insurance for their employees. This obligation, they stated, must remain unchanged.
The unions clarified that their position is not a demand for additional funding but a firm stand to protect the benefits civil servants have been enjoying under NHIF. They reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of their members.