Wanga defends SHA annual payment proposal amid uproar

Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga has defended the government’s decision to adopt an annual payment model for the Social Health Insurance Authority (SHA), warning that the scheme risks collapse if contributions are made monthly.

Wanga made her remarks during an interview with a local media house on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Homabay County, ahead of the 2025 Devolution Conference held in the county.

At the time, Wanga explained the financial strain posed by members who pay once, access expensive treatment, and then disappear from remitting their subscriptions to the Authority.

“If we do not do the annual payment, we are going to close down the scheme, because if an individual comes and pays for one month at least Ksh500, then they get treated after a month and SHA uses between Ksh30,000 to Ksh50,000, then the individual goes home and doesn’t pay again because they are well,” Wanga said.

Health PS explains why the annual payment

Meanwhile, Gladys Wanga’s remarks have sparked following the government’s decision to introduce annual contributions to the Social Health Authority, which is aimed at ensuring continuous healthcare access for all Kenyans.

During a public participation forum at Murang’a University of Technology, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni explained to Kenyans why it is important to have the annual contribution plan within SHA.

On her part, Muthoni said the shift from monthly to annual payments is intended to secure uninterrupted coverage, particularly for non-salaried individuals who may experience income disruptions.

“Paying annually in advance guarantees that beneficiaries continue receiving services, even if they face temporary financial hardship due to illness or loss of income,” she said. 

“If someone pays for only a few months and then becomes unable to continue, they may be denied services and end up blaming SHA for not working,” Muthoni added.

Similarly, PS Muthoni emphasised that universal healthcare access can only be realised if every Kenyan makes their required contributions. 

“If we all pay our share, no one will be turned away from healthcare services,” she noted

To ease the burden of the lump-sum annual payment, which is set at 2.75 per cent of the household income, Kenyans can borrow from the Hustler Fund at zero interest.

“Let’s say your annual contribution is Sh7,200 and you can’t afford to pay it all at once. The government has made it possible to borrow the amount interest-free and repay it gradually, whether daily, weekly, or monthly,” Muthoni said.