Union Alleges Plot to Remove 80% of Former NHIF Workers in SHA Recruitment

The Kenya Union of Commercial, Food and Allied Workers (KUCFAW) has raised alarm over what it calls a deliberate plan to exclude the majority of former National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) employees from the ongoing staff recruitment by the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).

In a statement on Thursday, KUCFAW Secretary General Andrew Kinyua said the recruitment process appears to disregard legal and presidential assurances that workers from the defunct NHIF would be absorbed into SHA as outlined in the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) Act, 2023.

Kinyua claimed that despite clear provisions in the law, over 80 percent of former NHIF employees risk losing their jobs. He cited the recent appointment of the SHA CEO, directors, and deputy directors as evidence that the process is sidelining the former staff.

“While the SHIF Act 2023 explicitly states that NHIF employees should be given priority consideration in the employment process, the ongoing recruitment process seems to be overlooking this provision, leaving many employees of the defunct NHIF feeling disenfranchised and uncertain about their future,” said Kinyua.

The union has given the SHA Board 72 hours to respond to their concerns or face legal action.

“As KUCFAW, we are contemplating moving to court to seek to declare the whole process a violation of the law in the event we don’t receive a favorable response from the SHA Board within the next 72 hours,” Kinyua warned.

He further expressed concern that replacing experienced NHIF staff with new recruits could derail the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.

“We are equally worried because most of the NHIF employees have the requisite skills and experience in social health protection, while many of those recruited will require extensive training, which might jeopardize the success of UHC,” he added.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had earlier assured that the SHA recruitment process would be transparent and merit-based.