Kenya rebrands Social Health Insurance Fund to Taifa Care for Universal Health Coverage

KENYA – The Kenyan government has announced that it has rebranded its Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), to Taifa Care, a bold step aimed at delivering Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to all citizens.

President William Ruto announced this development during his State of the Nation address in Parliament, whereby he emphasized that the new system will ensure accessible and quality healthcare for everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable. 

According to the president, the previous National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) model fell short, as it mainly catered to salaried individuals while excluding the majority of Kenyans who could not afford its services.

He described Taifa Care as a transformative framework designed to bridge this gap by making healthcare available to all, regardless of their financial status. 

“This modern framework ensures that every Kenyan, especially the most vulnerable, can access quality healthcare when they need it the most,” Ruto remarked.

He expressed confidence in Taifa Care, highlighting its comprehensive benefits package and its potential to deliver efficient and effective healthcare services. 

Under this new system, citizens contribute 2.75% of their gross income, with a minimum payment of Ksh. 300 (US$2.32) per month, with employers mandated to remit these contributions by the 9th of every month.

Upon registration, individuals become eligible for a wide range of healthcare services, with the president urging Kenyans to prioritize enrolling. 

“Registering for Taifa Care is the most important step toward securing reliable healthcare for yourself and your family,” Ruto said.

He further explained that the system has been carefully designed to ensure accurate costing of healthcare goods and services, ensuring timely and effective service delivery. 

So far, more than 15 million Kenyans have enrolled, and 60% of employers have successfully transitioned to the new system.

President Ruto stated that once the transition is complete, Kenya will, for the first time in its 60 years of independence, have a healthcare system that guarantees dignity, peace of mind, and equitable access for all citizens. 

However, the rollout of Taifa Care, which began on October 1, 2024, has faced criticism, with many patients raised concerns about its efficiency, claiming it excludes thousands of patients from accessing care.

Religious organizations also expressed their concerns about the system, arguing that the government rushed to implement the Ksh. 104.8 billion (US$808.95 million) system, ignoring potential pitfalls and the need for better planning. 

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