Atwoli appointed to State job at the new Social Health Authority

In a gazette notice dated November 22, 2023, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha appointed Atwoli, along with Zakayo Kariuki Gichuki and Jacinta Kathamu Mutegi.

The three will serve as members of the Social Health Authority for a three-year term, starting November 22, 2023.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 (1) of the Social Health Insurance Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Health appoints Zakayo Kariuki Gichuki under paragraph (e), Jacinta Kathamu Mutegi under paragraph (h) (iii) and Francis Atwoli under paragraph (h) (iv) as members of the Social Health Authority, for a period of 3 years, with effect from the 22nd November, 2023,” read the gazette notice.

The appointment, in accordance with the Social Health Insurance Act, grants the authority several functions.

These include registering beneficiaries, addressing complaints arising from the Act's implementation, advising the Cabinet Secretary on social health insurance matters, formulating policies, and implementing government policies related to social health insurance.

Atwoli's appointment comes on the heels of the enactment of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, as announced by the health CS in a gazette notice on November 21. 

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 1 of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, the Cabinet Secretary for Health designates the 22nd November 2023, as the date on which the Social Health insurance Act, 2023, shall come in operation,” Nakhumicha stated.

The Act, one of three Universal Health Coverage bills signed into law by President William Ruto in October, will replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). 

The transition is aimed at ensuring all Kenyans get access to quality health care, irrespective of their financial status, and will require formal sector employees to contribute 2.75 per cent of their salary, capped between Ksh.300 and Ksh.5, 000 monthly.

The other UHC bills, now Acts, include the Primary Health Care Bill, focusing on effective healthcare delivery through Primary Healthcare Networks and Community Health Units. 

In addition, the Facility Improvement Financing Bill aims to create an efficient mechanism for collecting and managing revenue from health services, while the Digital Health Bill focuses on developing and maintaining the Comprehensive Integrated Management Information System for seamless health information exchange.