Staff wrangles stall SHA recruitment process

Wrangles continue to disrupt the transition and recruitment process at the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA), with reports indicating growing discontent among some staff.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is reported to have issued letters to some staff members who did not apply to transition to SHA, or who opted for redeployment to other public service institutions.

This development comes even as Senators demanded that the SHA should absorb all the defunct National Hospital and Insurance Fund (NHIF) employees.

The Senators are also calling for a thorough vetting of staff to weed out unscrupulous employees who approved numerous fictitious claims, causing the loss of millions of taxpayers’ shillings.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot told the House that about 95 to 99 percent of former NHIF staff are hardworking Kenyans who served the country well and deserve another chance.

“We all know NHIF staff approved amputations four to six times; such people should not get another chance. That’s why we want thorough vetting to ensure staff with integrity serve Kenyans at SHA,” said Cheruiyot.

His remarks followed a statement by Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale, who urged the Senate Health Committee to disclose the total number of staff SHA plans to recruit to meet its required establishment.

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A recent court ruling ordered all positions to be re-advertised publicly, effectively blocking the exclusive hiring of former NHIF employees.

“Some employees have received letters from the PSC. Most of them are those who did not apply to join SHA, as well as those who opted to move to other public service roles,” said a source who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Two weeks ago, the PSC extended temporary contracts for former NHIF employees deployed to SHA. Several positions had already been advertised internally, with recruitment restricted to former NHIF staff.

These roles included quality assurance officers, county coordinators, directors, deputy directors, finance officers, accountants, benefits and actuarial officers, claims and case management officers, administration officers, records management officers, corporate communication officers, and provider management officers.

Other advertised positions cover primary healthcare fund management, beneficiary registration and compliance officers, legal officers, office administration, drivers, supply chain officers, corporate communication officers, information technology, planning and linkages, and human resources.

In a letter dated May 19, 2025, addressed to the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, the Public Service Commission (PSC) explained that extending the temporary deployment of staff from the defunct NHIF to the Social Health Authority (SHA) was necessary due to delays in finalizing the recruitment process.

The PSC noted that the recruitment at SHA is still ongoing and has been stayed by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi.

“In view of the above, and considering that the initial deployment period ends on May 21, 2025, before the recruitment exercise is fully completed, the commission has decided and directed that the deployment of staff from the defunct NHIF to SHA be extended for a further six months or until the recruitment exercise (suitability interviews) at SHA is completed, whichever is earlier,” reads a section of the letter.Last week, the court ordered the SHA to publicly re-advertise its jobs and barred the exclusive hiring of former NHIF staff, ruling that the March 2025 recruitment process was unconstitutional for limiting competition.

The court directed that positions, including quality assurance officers, county coordinators, directors, deputy directors, and other advertised vacancies, be re-advertised.

Advertisements must be open, fair, competitive, and transparent, in full compliance with the law, free from restrictions or limitations.

A total of 1,730 employees were temporarily deployed to SHA in October 2024, with the understanding that their contracts would last only six months.

Initially, the employees were to undergo a suitability test, with those qualifying transitioning to permanent roles within the authority.

Those who do not qualify for permanent positions at SHA are to be sent to the Public Service Commission (PSC) for redeployment, while some employees are expected to be offered early retirement.

An employee, who requested anonymity, told The Standard that the process remains uncertain, affecting smooth operations within the authority.

The employer is also reported to have failed in communicating clearly with staff, fueling animosity throughout the transition.

“Our biggest concern is salaries. Job grades at NHIF were different, including the salary scales,” the employee said.

Before the transition, NHIF, as a government parastatal, independently set salaries and only sought advice from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

However, under SHA, salaries are determined solely by the SRC. This change means some employees face a salary shortfall of between Sh80,000 and Sh100,000.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding recruitment and pay, SHA leadership has remained silent on the salary issue, which continues to disrupt the smooth workflow.

“Staff have asked to see the SHA staff establishment and structure. They also want to know why proposals from the transition committee, such as an early retirement package similar to one offered years ago, were not considered. That would have allowed a peaceful separation, as no one planned to leave employment,” the employee added.