By Billy Mijungu
Why aren’t people signing up for SHIF/SHA, or the so-called Taifa Care? The answer is simple: It’s not working, and therefore, it does not inspire confidence.
The best way to market a public healthcare scheme isn’t through slogans or government directives. It’s by proving, beyond doubt, that it delivers. People need to see bills being paid efficiently, hospitals accepting Taifa Care without drama, and complaints being resolved swiftly. Until that happens, the uptake will remain low. No one is willing to sign up for a program that appears stillborn.
The government must change the narrative—not by force or propaganda, but through action. It must prove that Taifa Care is functional, effective, and reliable. A good place to start is by ensuring that every government employee, from top officials to civil servants, is exclusively covered by Taifa Care. Retiring all private medical insurers in government institutions would not only inspire public confidence but also save the exchequer nearly Ksh 150 billion annually.
If Taifa Care is truly meant to be the solution for all Kenyans, then let those running the country lead by example. Until then, skepticism will remain, and sign-ups will be sluggish.
