Couples will no longer be mandated to provide their marriage certificates during registration into the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), following a review by the Ministry of Health.
This policy adjustment was disclosed during a meeting between Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and the National Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee.
Held in Nairobi on Thursday, February 29, the meeting saw MPs expressing concerns over the requirement, highlighting that some Kenyans did not possess marriage certificates due to traditional weddings.
Consequently, the CS clarified that marriage certificates would no longer be obligatory for couples during registration.
"There was public outcry during countrywide public participation. This resulted in the amendment to only require proof of marriage," she stated.
However, other documents such as national identity cards and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) will still be necessary.
Additionally, Kenyans will have their biometrics collected in the new push.
Meanwhile, the government has justified its push to have polygamous families pay more for insurance.
"If there is no limit on the number of beneficiaries one can list under their cover, why is a contributor required to pay an additional premium for each additional spouse?" National Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee chair Samuel Chepkonga asked.
"In the spirit of equity and equitability, it is only fair that the contributor makes an additional payment for each spouse. The income is that of a household, which means it is the total income of all spouses,” Public Health PS explained.
According to the government's schedule, registration into the new health insurance is set to commence on Friday, March 1. However, the Ministry has not given clear guidelines on the exercise.
The exercise will take 90 days as the government plans to begin making the 2.75 salary deductions for salaries beginning July 1.
