Health

Govt to roll out a testing tool to track Kenyans' income

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha delivers President William Ruto's speech during the dissemination of MTP IV at Kitale National Polytechnic in Trans Nzoia County on June 10, 2024. (Photo: Susan Nakhumicha)

By Vincent Ombati | Monday, June 10, 2024

The self-testing tool will help the government determine how much an individual will contribute and which category a contributor falls into.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has revealed the government's plan to track down the wealth and income of self-employed Kenyans with a testing tool.

In an interview with Citizen TV on Sunday, Nakhumicha said the tool will enable unemployed and self-employed people to remit funds to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

The CS said the self-testing tool will help the government determine how much an individual will contribute and which category a contributor falls into.

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These are the self-employed, those unemployed but with an income, and those with no income.

"We have a means-testing tool, which is a scientific tool that has been developed and it is self-testing. It is you saying this is me; I am in an informal setting and this is how much I make in a year and therefore the calculation for my 2.75 per cent will be this much," said Nakhumicha.

"If you are not in any form of employment but you have some form of income, you will still do the self-declaration and calculate 2.75 per cent of your income," clarified the CS.

For those who have zero income and can declare nil filings that are concurrent with the tool, the ministry will place them in the category of those who need to be taken care of by the government.

"We have people who are in self-employment so they have income, so they know how much they make," noted Nakhumicha.

The CS has, however, warned those planning to dupe the government and remit less than their income category that they will face the law. She cautioned that the government will conduct economic studies, like checking the lifestyle and personal belongings of an individual, to determine which category a contributor falls under.

"You cannot hide your economic characteristics. If I look at the watch you are wearing, I can give an estimate of what your income is," Nakhumicha stated.

The CS urged taxpayers to declare their income and promised a consistent benefit package to everyone.

"If you live in a grass house, it cannot be hidden. We will observe the economic characteristics of the unemployed to see how they will contribute," Nakhumicha added.

SHIF is set to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). However, NHIF cards will serve alongside SHIF in the initial rollout. President William Ruto will announce the SHIF registration date soon.