The government has announced plans to clear pending bills amounting to Sh5.3 billion inherited from the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) within the next two months. This move is part of broader reforms being implemented under the Social Health Authority (SHA), which seeks to streamline healthcare financing and restore confidence in public health institutions.
The directive to settle the arrears has been prioritized at the highest level, with the National Treasury expected to prepare a supplementary budget to facilitate the payments. The clearance of these debts is seen as a crucial step in stabilising the healthcare sector, where delayed reimbursements have strained hospital operations and limited access to services for patients.
According to the Ministry of Health, the government is determined to ensure hospitals receive payments promptly to prevent service disruptions. The SHA system has been structured to address inefficiencies and close the corruption loopholes that previously plagued the NHIF. This reform is expected to guarantee transparency, accountability, and timely reimbursement, enabling hospitals to focus on delivering quality services.
As part of confidence-building measures, Sh100 million will be disbursed by mid-August to offset pending claims at Kakamega County’s Level 5 Hospital. This is aimed at easing the financial burden on the facility while ensuring residents continue to access uninterrupted care.
In addition to settling pending bills, the Ministry of Health is working with county governments to strengthen supply chain systems and curb the theft of medicines and medical supplies. A new joint system will be rolled out in the coming weeks to safeguard pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals across facilities.
Kakamega County has already registered about 800,000 residents under the SHA programme, leaving close to one million people yet to enroll. The county government has also outlined pending claims across its health facilities, with Level 2 and 3 hospitals owed Sh72 million, 15 Level 4 hospitals owed Sh55 million, and the Level 5 facility owed Sh166 million.
The government’s commitment to clear pending bills and implement structural reforms signals a renewed focus on ensuring universal health coverage is both achievable and sustainable. By sealing past loopholes and prioritising timely payments, the SHA reform agenda aims to protect patients from suffering due to financial constraints while strengthening the credibility of Kenya’s healthcare system.
