Court declines petition to stop SHA rollout
National
By
Sharon Wanga
| Oct 01, 2024
The High Court has declined to issue an order stopping the rollout of the new Social Health Authority (SHA), which began on Tuesday, October 1.
In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Bahati Mwamuye certified a lawsuit filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah as urgent.
"After a preliminary review of the Notice of Motion and the constitutional issues raised, I certify the application dated September 30, 2024, as urgent and direct that it be heard on a priority basis," Justice Mwamuye said.
Senator Omtatah, along with activists Eliud Matindi and Dr Magare Gikenyi, filed a case seeking to halt the SHA rollout and invalidate the contract between the government and the Safaricom Consortium.
"Pending the hearing and determination of this application and petition, the court should issue a conservatory order suspending the scheduled rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund on October 1, 2024," the petition stated.
READ MORE
Why every Kenyan must protect their personal data
Konza inks deal with Moroccan firm to deliver AI certification
AG's office in the spot for hindering KenGen's cheaper power plan
Pesalink, PAPSS deal cuts currency barriers for Kenya cross-border payments
Manyanja Mall: Quickmart, Goodlife and Rubis among anchor tenants of Sh400 million mall
Econetix inaugural CORSIA deal channels carbon finance to Africa
Industry leaders push to accelerate social governance in brokerage
VAT reforms: Why manufacturers want tax cuts
The petitioners also requested the suspension and annulment of the government's contract with the Safaricom Consortium-comprising Safaricom Plc, Konvergenz Network Solutions, and Apeiro Limited, to provide the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System for Universal Health Care.
The court has directed the petitioners to serve the relevant parties with their responses by this Friday.
The case will be mentioned on October 9, for further directions.