Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has criticized the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) for what he termed as negative changes.
Sonko while motivating over 2 million followers on his Facebook, asked them to pray for Kenya and its leaders.
“Good Morning Wakenya wenzangu, let’s pray for our beloved Country Kenya and all Leaders of this Nation. Hata NHIF tuwaombee they think about Motivation positive changes to fellow hustler like,”
“If one contributes for a whole year without using the scheme for treatment, half of his /her contributions will be credited to his /her Mpesa account on the 1st of January the following year,” he said.
He asked God to bless his followers.
Last week, NHIF Board and management in a memo dated January 7 addressed all Branch managers, senior registration and compliance officers, made changes that will punish defaulters.
The changes were effected on January 1st and are to affect voluntary members who pay shs 500 per month.
In the changes, members will have to wait six months after registration to access maternity services.
The fund restricts access to maternity benefits to post -card maturity for principal members or spouses declared at the point of registration.
Only 1 spouse and 5 children will be allowed to use NHIF.
Members who default for a year will be forced to pay afresh and be eligible for benefits after 90 days once they resume payments.
They will be forced to make a year’s payment upfront.
COTU, MPs and many Kenyans have opposed the changes terming them “ill intended”