Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma has challenged the government and the Social Health Authority (SHA) to provide an immediate explanation for a controversial rule denying Kenyans access to medical care despite making partial contributions to the new scheme. The Senator highlighted widespread public panic and frustration stemming from the SHA's rigid requirement for a full year of upfront payments.
During a session before the Senate Committee on Health on Tuesday, July 22, Senator Mwaruma pressed for clarity on why ordinary citizens, particularly those in the informal sector, are being turned away from vital medical services. He underscored the fundamental injustice of denying healthcare to individuals who have already committed their hard-earned money to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
An image of Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma during a Health Committee meeting on July 23, 2025.
Facebook Parliament of Kenya The Senator cited Section 18(1) of the Social Health Insurance (General) Regulations, 2024, which mandates annual contributions for households not in salaried employment, calculated at 2.75 per cent of their household income. He argued that while the regulation specifies annual contributions, its current implementation effectively locks out countless Kenyans who cannot afford a lump-sum payment and are paying in instalments.
