The Social Health Authority (SHA) has been granted access to various databases, including Kenyans’ mobile money transactions, Kenya Power payments, and Kenya Revenue Authority records, to identify individuals underpaying premiums despite their capacity to contribute more. This initiative focuses on self-employed individuals whose premiums are currently based on self-reported data via the Means Testing Tool.
The Ministry of Health has observed that many have been misrepresenting their financial situations, claiming to be landless or living in modest housing to reduce their premium payments. Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo stated that integrating SHA with multiple government databases will promote equitable contributions, aiming to raise the average monthly premiums for self-employed Kenyans to KSh880—nearly triple the Sh300 minimum pledged during the 2022 election campaigns.
SHA’s access now extends to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and immigration department databases to identify vehicle owners and frequent travelers falsely declaring low income. Additionally, SHA can access the Kenya Agricultural Management and Information System (KIAMIS), which cataloged all Kenyan farmers and their assets last year.
“We are developing a new algorithm that will enhance the accuracy of means testing by triangulating data from various government agencies,” Dr. Mlongo announced during a presentation at the inaugural health summit hosted by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Monday. SHA systems are also connected to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Hustlers Fund, Insurance Regulatory Authority, Registrar of Companies, and the Communications Authority for mobile phone data.
The Means Testing Tool is an online form for self-employed and unemployed SHA members to declare their assets and occupations. An algorithm then calculates their annual income, from which they are required to pay 2.7%. The minimum monthly payment is Sh300, while approximately 1.5 million individuals classified as extremely poor are exempt from payments but still receive health services. Currently, informal sector workers contribute an average of Sh560 per month.
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