SHA denies jobs bias as ex-NHIF staff wait for deployment

Former NHIF staff were among employees seconded to SHA following the repeal of NHIF, but were later handed over to the public service. [File, Standard]

The hiring of staff for the new health scheme has been rocked by wrangles, with at least 200 former employees of the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) currently stuck at the Public Service Commission (PSC) awaiting deployment.

The former NHIF staff were among employees seconded to Social Health Authority (SHA) following the repeal of NHIF, but were later handed over to the public service as the authority embarked on fresh recruitment.

Insiders and affected staff allege that the ongoing recruitment process has been marred by nepotism and ethnic bias, with some communities allegedly enjoying an upper hand, contrary to the Constitution and the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

“We are stranded at Public Service as we wait for placement,” said an insider among those deployed to the PSC.

The source said there is anxiety on job security, among the employees. The majority are opting to be given their benefits, but SHA remains mute on the matter.

Deployment to the public service began in July last year, with the last batch handed over in November.

NHIF was formally repealed on November 24, 2024, paving the way for the establishment of SHA under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.

All NHIF staff were initially deployed to SHA to support the transition and establishment of the new authority.

According to the transitional framework, former NHIF employees were to undergo a suitability assessment to determine their placement at SHA.

Those who did not meet the criteria were to be given the option of early retirement or absorption into the wider public service.

However, the recruitment process at the authority has since attracted multiple court cases filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court, which ordered fresh advertisement for positions, effectively halting an initial internal recruitment process.

Despite this, insiders claim the current hiring exercise lacks clear structures, even as most key positions including directors, senior management and 47 county operations managers have already been filled.

“I do not think employment is the real issue at SHA. They already recruited the people they wanted. We have accepted and are living with the mischief,” said an insider. 

SHA, however, has defended its recruitment process, saying it is fully compliant with the transitional provisions of the Social Health Insurance Act, as well as court and government directives.

In a statement issued at the weekend, the authority said it accorded priority consideration to former NHIF employees whose roles were relevant to SHA’s mandate, in order to ensure continuity of institutional knowledge and preserve technical expertise.

“However, these appointments are not automatic. All professionals undergo rigorous assessments to ensure they meet SHA’s competency and integrity standards, and that prioritisation does not compromise merit,” said the authority in a statement.

Unlike NHIF, which had 1,732 employees, SHA has an approved establishment of 815 staff.

The recruitment of county operations managers has nonetheless generated heated public debate, with critics pointing to alleged dominance of two communities in the appointments, raising questions about compliance with constitutional requirements.

Those appointed have since reported to their respective duty stations.

SHA, however, maintains that its recruitment is transparent, inclusive and merit-based, insisting that only 144 staff have been hired so far.

The statement says the staff recruited so far hail from 24 ethnic communities. It adds that SHA has surpassed the national requirement of employing at least five per cent of persons living with disabilities.

“To date, 144 officers have been successfully recruited, representing approximately 17 per cent of the total required workforce,” reads part of a statement issued by the authority on January 24, 2026.

SHA said the recruitment process is ongoing, with additional phases scheduled in the coming weeks to ensure timely staffing aligned with national health priorities.

The authority further stated that recruitment is being conducted in strict adherence to the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

“Deliberate steps have been taken to ensure the workforce reflects the rich diversity of the Kenyan population,” added the statement.

Over the weekend, an unverified list purporting to show names and ethnic communities of SHA employees went viral on social media, attracting widespread criticism.

The list allegedly detailed staff in departments such as benefits and claims management, planning and linkages, as well as senior registration and compliance roles, including positions linked to Huduma Centres.

In response, SHA acknowledged awareness of the list but dismissed it as partial and misleading.

“SHA clarifies that this list is neither comprehensive nor official. It omits critical context, including the ongoing nature of the hiring process and the full diversity of appointed candidates,” the authority said.

SHA urged the public to disregard incomplete information circulated to fuel misleading narratives, reiterating its commitment to transparency.

Meanwhile, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is expected to convene a meeting today with the SHA board and management to address the emerging concerns.