The Public Service Commission (PSC) announced that all former staff of the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will continue serving under the Social Health Authority (SHA) for an additional period of six months.
This came as the term of office for the staff which had been given earlier on expired.
This arrangement, according to commission chairperson Anthony Muchiri, will remain in place until SHA completes its recruitment process or whichever comes first.
He spoke during a consultative meeting convened by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on
“The move is intended to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and maintain operational stability during the transition period,” he explained.
The meeting, also attended by SHA chairperson Abdi Mohamed focused on resolving operational and human resource matters critical to the continuity of health financing under the new framework.
It forms part of a broader strategy to support the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.
In addition to extending service for former NHIF staff, Muchiri directed that employees who have lawfully requested redeployment to other public service institutions will be reassigned immediately.
The process, he said, is set to begin next week.
These resolutions, Duale said, underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring a stable, legally compliant, and uninterrupted transition to a more efficient and inclusive health insurance regime.
The contract for the 1,700 staff was to end this month. The government had last year announced that the employees will be with SHA for six months to undergo suitability assessments and interviews for permanent onboarding thereafter.
“Staff not retained will be deployed to other government institutions as per the transitional clauses in the shift to SHA,” Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said on November 26, 2024.
The future of more than staff member was left uncertain following the transition of NHIF to SHA on October 1. Speaking recently at State House when he flagged off disease surveillance vehicles destined for the counties, President William Ruto reassured employees that their jobs are secure during the transition to SHA.
This, as he highlighted the need for skilled personnel to effectively manage the new health insurance scheme. “As promised, NHIF staff have been given priority in the recruitment process.
Those not selected for positions within SHA will be redeployed to other roles within the public service,” he said.
“My assurance to all Kenyans is that no one will lose their job.”
Duale said all former NHIF staff will continue to serve under SHA for an additional six months, or until SHA completes its recruitment process, whichever comes first.
“Additionally, staff who have lawfully requested redeployment to other public service institutions will be reassigned immediately, with the redeployment process set to begin next week.”
“These resolutions mark a decisive step in ensuring stability, legal compliance and uninterrupted service delivery as the country transitions to a more efficient and inclusive health insurance regime under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muchiri called upon authorized officers in ministries and state departments to ensure implementation of Commission directives.
While acknowledging the critical role played by HR directors in the realization of effective and efficient public service, the PSC Chairperson highlighted that some institutions were yet to implement commission decisions.
“The Commission has noted instances of MDAs taking long to implement decisions and circulars of the Commission or, in extreme cases, even attempting to challenge such decisions,” said Amb. Muchiri.
“Going forward the Commission will not entertain any attempts to frustrate its constitutional authority and will not hesitate to sanction the concerned MDA, Authorized Officer or Head of HR, ” he added.
