President William Ruto on Monday, May 1, revealed that contributions drawn from his salary to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) scheme would increase from the current Ksh1,700 to Ksh27,500.
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, the president affirmed that the changes were part of the reforms to the Fund to create a more inclusive scheme that accommodates more households.
He added that the scheme would harmonise the amount contributed based on the amount earned.
"It doesn't make sense that the president pays Ksh1,700 every month and the normal mwananchi pays Ksh600 to have NHIF. My salary is Ksh1 million. The boda boda guy earns an average of Ksh5,000. Is it sensible? We have changed the contribution formula hence those paying Ksh500 will pay Ksh300 in the seventh month."
"I as the president who has been paying Ksh1,000 will pay Ksh27,500 and others will also pay a certain amount," he noted.
In addition, the Head of State lauded the Hustler Fund initiative and affirmed that small-scale traders would access between Ksh10,000 to Ksh200,000 beginning June 1, 2023.
In a bid to deal with the unemployment crisis in the country, Ruto announced that the government would sign bilateral agreements with at least seven countries.
For instance, the president pointed out that in the coming week, he would seal a deal with Germany for more Kenyans to work in Berlin.
He added that these efforts would go a long way in ensuring Return On Investments (ROI) as approximately Ksh400 billion is sent back home from Kenyans in the diaspora.
Further, digital hubs would be created in every ward to tap into the digital economy and essentially drive youth into the digital jobs sector.
The president faulted the labour sector for the recent statistics from the Global Age Watch index which placed Kenya 72 out of 96 in terms of countries whose citizens retire in poverty.
Ruto maintained that the importance of increasing the savings for each Kenyan through the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
"Our savings culture is eight percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), other countries such as China are 55 percent of GDP," the president stated.
