BY TRACY KAVAI, nyaberakavai@gmail.com
The government, through the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development, has extended the medical insurance cover for civil servants until November 21, 2024.
Public Service Principal Secretary (PS) Amos Gathecha confirmed that the extension of the Comprehensive Medical Insurance Scheme (CMIS) will ensure “seamless transition and effective service delivery” for beneficiaries. The medical cover, which initially expired in June 2024 and was later extended to September, is now under the Social Health Authority (SHA), replacing the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
In a notice issued on Tuesday, PS Gathecha revealed that “the contract was executed for a period of one year with effect from 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024 and was extended for three months up to 30th September 2024.” With the recent extension, civil servants, including employees of both national and county governments as well as staff of the National Youth Service (NYS), will continue to access medical services. Gathecha clarified that “the State Department for Public Service, in consultation with the Social Health Authority (SHA), has agreed to extend the contract up to 21st November 2024.”
However, this temporary measure follows significant unrest among civil servant unions, which issued a 14-day strike notice over concerns about healthcare coverage. The unions criticized the SHA rollout, claiming that it left out key benefits, resulted in higher deductions, and led to job losses. In a joint statement, they declared: “We call upon the National and County governments to urgently address these issues and ensure that civil servants are not left without proper healthcare coverage.”
While the extension provides temporary relief, the unions maintain that their demands are yet to be fully addressed. “Our members cannot continue to face increased deductions for diminished healthcare services,” they stated. With the strike threat still looming, the unions insist that the government’s response does not resolve the underlying issues.