The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has clarified the issue of changing their monthly contribution pay bill to 222222 for all state agencies as directed by President William Ruto early August 2023.
In an exclusive encounter with The Kenya Times, the government entity noted that they will accept payments from their initial pay bill number 200222 until they advise otherwise.
“The initial one applies unless we advise otherwise,” NHIF noted.
While issuing the directive to have all state agencies use the same paybill number, President William Ruto noted that the government has gone digital, and all agencies should comply.
“From today all government agencies should use the government Pay bill manned by the National Treasury. All other Pay bills will be shut down and if there is one operating after today! … let me not say beyond that, ” President Ruto warned then.
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Purpose of One Pay bill for All Govt Agencies
According to the President the purpose of the Pay bill was to ensure efficiency and accountability of all data in all government agencies.
Furthermore, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Economic Planning Njuguna Ndungu announced in a Gazette Notice published on December 30 that the government has changed some payment details on the eCitizen platform.
“The official Government of Kenya Pay Bill Number is 222 222, the official Government of Kenya Short Code Number is 222, and the official Government of Kenya USSD Number is 2222,” the CS said in the Gazette Notice.
At the time, Prof Ndung’u revoked Gazette Notice No. 9290 of 2014 which had listed the details as; 206206 (Pay Bill), 22206 (Short Code) and 206 (USSD number).
Also, he revoked a clause that introduced a convenience fee for transactions on the platform.
Death of NHIF
However, the National Health Insurance Fund is set to transition to Social Health Authority as stated in the Social Health Insurance Bill 2023.
The Social Health Authority will see the implementation of three separate funds including the primary health care fund, the social health insurance fund and the chronic illness and emergency fund.
In recent reports to the Parliamentary Health Committee, the NHIF Chief Executive Office Elijah Wachira assured safety for Kenyans Contributions through the transition process.
“Our commitment to Parliament and the entire nation is unwavering; we will take every possible measure to safeguard the contributions of our members and their beneficiaries,” he said.
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Wachira emphasized that NHIF’s staff is well-prepared and up to the task of addressing the issues that have previously affected the national insurer as well as in expanding health insurance coverage.
He added that as NHIF is undertaking the transition, they are simultaneously learning from past experiences, ensuring a seamless shift from the current NHIF to the new authority.
Notably, The Social Health Insurance Fund will cover several services including direct referrals, and secondary and tertiary healthcare.
As per the bill, the Primary Health Care Fund will bolster preventive and promotive primary care services at the community, dispensary, and health center levels.
On the other hand, Chronic Illness and Emergency Fund is designed to address chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer management, and emergency treatments.
