Civil servants say No to new NHIF rates

Civil servants and other workers affiliated to the Trade Unions Congress of Kenya have opposed the new NHIF rates, saying they were not consulted.

Mr Tom Odege, the national chairman of the organisation, formerly known as the Federation of Public Service Trade Unions of Kenya (Pusetu), said the National Hospital Insurance Fund had not sought their views before coming up with the new rates.

The union vowed to continue opposing the new figures.

Its members are teachers, lecturers, other university staff and dock workers.

“You cannot just increase the rates from Sh320 to Sh1,700 without consulting members who contribute the amounts,” said Mr Odege in Nairobi yesterday during the rebranding of Pusetu.

He said the government had denied them representation in the NHIF and the National Social Security Fund despite having a high number of workers.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions last month agreed to drop a case challenging the charges.