NHIF

Presently, there is a global push to extend health insurance to informal workers in developing countries. In Kenya, for instance, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has taken measures to provide health insurance coverage to informal sector workers through a voluntary contributory scheme. However, the uptake and retention of these workers in the scheme is low. This raises the question: how are institutional mechanisms and processes affecting participation of informal workers in the scheme?

Central to its commitment to achieving 'universal health coverage' for all its citizens, the Kenya government continues to promote the expansion of national health insurance, NHIF, to include the informal sector, free maternal healthcare, and health insurance subsidies for the vulnerable populations. Additionally, the government promises a more equitable and inclusive health system and financial protection, a move that invites citizens to feel entitled to healthcare access and welfare.