The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) has expressed concerns over the Cabinet’s decision to approve bills related to the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda without first consulting employers. The FKE warns that such an approach could result in higher business expenses, an increased cost of living, and potential disturbances in the workforce.
FKE’s Executive Director, Jacqueline Mugo, clarified that while the federation is in support of the UHC initiative, they would have preferred a more inclusive process. Mugo emphasized that employers should have been engaged by both the Ministry of Health and the President’s office to provide their insights on the proposed legislations before they were presented to Parliament.
Furthermore, the FKE believes that for the UHC agenda to be successful, employers need to play a role in the governance of the funds being proposed. Their involvement would ensure better alignment with the broader objectives of UHC.
Additionally, the FKE is urging the government to pursue genuine social dialogue with all relevant stakeholders. By doing so, the federation believes that there can be better support and a shared sense of ownership over the health reforms.
Treading carefully on the topic of potential deductions, the FKE’s primary objective is to ensure that any changes made, especially in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) reforms, are beneficial to all involved parties. They aim to prevent any scenarios where the suggested changes might elevate business expenses, the cost of living, or cause unrest among workers.