SHA accused of ignoring employee concerns on salaries, job security

Social Health Authority building in Nairobi. Employees of the defunct NHIF say they lack clarity on their employment status. [File, Standard]

The Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority (SHA) management have been accused of failing to communicate job expectations and salary concerns under the new health scheme amid the ongoing transition.

Employees of the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) say they lack clarity regarding their employment status.

Insiders reveal uncertainty over whether they will continue receiving salaries comparable to those under NHIF.

“Nobody is giving us clear answers about our employment. They keep insisting that no one will lose their job, but nothing is certain,” said one employee, who requested anonymity..

Despite these concerns, employees claim SHA Chairperson Abdi Mohammed has ignored their grievances.

In an internal memo seen by The Standard, Dr Mohammed informed staff that SHA has fewer vacancies than the number of applicants—815 positions compared to NHIF’s 1,732.

Mohammed stated that not all NHIF staff would transition to SHA. However, he contradicted this by asserting, “I want to emphasise that no officer who was employed under permanent and pensionable terms will lose their job.”

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The letter further stated that the SHA Act, 2023, explicitly provides that NHIF staff not appointed by SHA may opt for early retirement from public service or seek redeployment. Employees unwilling to transition to SHA were directed to inform the SHA board or the Public Service Commission (PSC).

However, employees deployed to public service will not be considered for SHA positions.

Despite receiving the memo, staff say their biggest concern—salaries—remains unresolved, a matter they claim the SHA chairperson has deliberately avoided addressing.

“The question we want answered in writing is: When we move to public service, will we receive the same salary as we did under NHIF?” asked an employee who spoke anonymously.

The issue of pay disparities has surfaced amid ongoing interviews for senior management positions.

Insiders suggest there will be significant salary reductions, but the Ministry and SHA have remained silent.

Already, staff deployed to SHA from the defunct NHIF are reportedly demoralised due to reports of pay cuts.

Previously, NHIF, as a government parastatal, independently set salaries and only sought guidance from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). However, under SHA, salaries are strictly determined by the SRC

Among the positions currently being filled through interviews are those of Chief Executive Officer, directors, deputy directors, and regional managers

Some employees are expected to face salary reductions of between Sh80,000 and Sh100,000.

“If someone who was earning Sh200,000 is moved to public service and now receives only Sh60,000, have they not effectively lost their job? How are they expected to pay off loans and mortgages?” posed one employee.

Another source expressed frustration over the lack of transparency.

Another source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, warned that the pay cuts could lead to court battles.

According to the source, recommendations by the transition committee on handling staff were ignored.

“The transition committee gave proposals on how to deal with staff which was ignored,” he noted

The employment and pay issue comes barely six weeks before the authority fully transitions, according to deadlines set by PSC.

Efforts by The Standard to get a response from SHA chairperson Mohammed on the matter did not succeeed.

The issue of hiring at SHA caused uproar among the National Assembly Departmental Health Committee. On February 10, MPs poked holes in the hiring process at the authority, accusing the chairperson of unlawfully hand-picking individuals for key managerial positions.

In an internal memo dated November 20, 2024 seen by The Standard, at least 24 senior managers were appointed in various roles, in an acting capacity. [Mercy Kahenda]