Government to pay 91% of outstanding NHIF claims, Ruto announces

KENYA—President William Ruto has announced that the government will settle all health facility claims up to KSh10 million (US$77,369.44), previously managed under the now defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

This initiative covers public, faith-based, and private hospitals and is designed to relieve financial pressure on healthcare providers while boosting service delivery under the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).

According to the President’s statement from the statehouse, these smaller claims account for 91 percent of all facilities that had contracts with the former NHIF prior to its closure on November 22, 2024.

“The government will fully pay all hospitals with total claims of KSh10 million and below,” President Ruto emphasized.

The government has initiated a verification process for hospitals with claims exceeding KSh10 million (US$77,369.44), which represents the remaining nine percent, and it is expected to complete this review within 90 days.

After that, a structured payment plan will be implemented. Additionally, the President noted that the Cabinet Secretary will formally establish the verification committee within the coming week.

Furthermore, the government has reassured healthcare providers that SHA will continue settling current claims within one month.

According to the Ministry of Health, SHA has already disbursed KSh18.2 billion (US$ 140.81 million) in undisputed claims since its launch on October 1, 2024, up until January 31, 2025.

President Ruto also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for every Kenyan, addressing concerns surrounding Taifa Care—the new digital healthcare system intended to replace NHIF.

“We are fully committed to providing Universal Health Coverage to every Kenyan without discrimination. Rest assured, any issues with the implementation of Taifa Care are being actively resolved,” he said.

While Taifa Care has faced criticism and some have called for its abolition due to initial system failures, President Ruto defended the system.

 He argued that the new measures are essential to curtail the fraud that previously allowed some individuals to siphon off as much as 40 percent of the NHIF funds.

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