Moses Kuria: SHIF Contributions to Receive Tax Relief Once Parliament Acts
Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Moses Kuria, has stated that the government is committed to aligning the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) contributions with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in terms of tax relief.
Kuria clarified that while the current Income Tax Act recognizes NHIF contributions for tax relief, SHIF contributions are not yet included.
However, he assured that once Parliament passes the necessary amendments, contributions to SHIF will enjoy the same tax benefits as NHIF.
Speaking at a recent forum, Kuria explained that the ongoing discussions around health insurance reforms aim to ensure that Kenyans have more accessible and affordable health coverage.
“We are working closely with Parliament to rectify this anomaly, so SHIF contributions will be eligible for tax deductions, just like NHIF,” he said.
This move is expected to boost the uptake of SHIF, which aims to provide broader coverage for healthcare, especially among the informal sector.
Many see this as an important step in making healthcare more equitable and ensuring that all Kenyans, regardless of their income level, can benefit from financial relief in health coverage.
Once the amendments are made, SHIF is expected to become a major pillar in Kenya’s healthcare financing.
