Uncertainty among ex-NHIF staff as SHA board picks top managers

A section of Social Health Authority(SHA) building on 13th November 2024 located at Upper Hill in Nairobi.[Edward Kiplimo,Standard]

Top positions at the Social Health Authority (SHA) have been filled.

The managerial appointments come at a time when SHA is expected to begin hiring its workforce.

At least 24 senior managers have been named to act in various capacities to operationalise the authority.

In the appointments announced by SHA Board chairperson Dr Abdi Mohammed, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert Ingasira has been designated to serve concurrently as the Director and the authority’s Finance Manager.

Other positions filled include that of Corporate Secretary, Director of Human Resources and Administration, Director of Internal Audit, Director of Information Communication Technology, Director of Provider and Beneficiary Administration, Director of Benefits and Claims Management and Head of the Finance and Accounts Department.

Heads of various departments have also been appointed, including those overseeing Finance and Accounts, Corporate Communication, Legal Services, Standards and Quality Assurance, Beneficiary Registration, Public Education and Awareness, Benefit Design and Actuarial Services, Claims Management, Regional Coordination, Infrastructure and Network Services, Systems Management, Enterprise Security, Human Resource Management and Development and Administration.

The appointments were communicated through an internal memo issued by Mohammed last Wednesday at 7pm, according to an insider.

The memo said the appointments were aimed at realigning with SHA, after the repeal of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) on November 21, 2024.

“I wish to inform all staff that SHA board at its sitting of December 11, 2024 resolved to make temporary realignment of Directors and Deputy Directors to align with the SHA approved organisational structures and organisation’s strategic priorities,” reads a section of the memo.

Mohammed adds that the deployments were aimed at ensuring improved service delivery and operations during the transition process.

Efforts by The Standard to seek clarity on the appointments from Mohammed were unsuccessful, as he neither answered phone calls nor responded to text messages.

An insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that several appointees are from the defunct NHIF, while others have been seconded from the Ministry of Health.

“Everyone at NHIF was seconded to SHA while we await the recruitment process. However, it remains unclear why some top positions are being filled,” the insider said.

The newly appointed officials reported to work on Friday, according to another source who requested anonymity.

The insider also noted there was uncertainty among defunct NHIF staff now working at SHA.

“We are maintaining our roles as under NHIF,” said one source. “We are all waiting for assessments or interviews.”

The fate of other employees remains unclear, with no communication on when interviews or the assessment process will be conducted by the SHA board.

“We are waiting for interviews and assessments,” observed another insider. “The SHA board should expedite the process and release a schedule with timelines. This will enable seconded staff to work with clarity.”

Last month, approximately 1,700 employees from the defunct NHIF transitioned to SHA following a directive by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

In a letter dated November 21, 2024, the employees were temporarily deployed to SHA under their existing terms. The deployment is set to last for six months or until SHA conducts a recruitment exercise.

PSC noted that these employees are eligible to apply and be considered for appointment during the recruitment process, in line with SHA’s requirements.

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