Refuting Claims: Religious Leaders and the Social Health Insurance Fund
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) officials in Garissa have denied allegations that religious leaders are hindering the registration process for the Social Health Authority (SHA). This comes after a county commissioner accused certain clergy members of spreading misinformation about the health insurance program, discouraging residents from enrolling.
On Wednesday, Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo criticized some members of the clergy, claiming they were undermining the government’s initiative to provide universal health coverage. He emphasized that the government had made significant progress in establishing the necessary infrastructure for this program. However, he expressed concern over the influence of religious leaders who, according to him, were spreading unfounded claims.
Mwabudzo stated, “This is a government health insurance programme where you contribute a small amount so that you can access free treatment in hospitals. I don’t understand where the issue of interest comes in.” As a Muslim himself, he questioned why some sheikhs were opposing the fund and urged people to stop using religion as a reason to avoid the program.
In response, the branch chairperson of Supkem in Garissa, Sheikh Hassan Abdi, clarified that none of their religious leaders had condemned the SHA. He explained that Islamic scholars have highlighted that public schemes aimed at preventing harm and meeting societal needs align with the concept of Maslaha, which is widely accepted in Islamic teachings.
Abdi noted that Supkem has collaborated with various stakeholders to raise awareness about the program. He criticized government officials for making "wild accusations" instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue. “As Supkem, we have no single religious leader who has condemned SHA. SHA is a health intervention, and Islam welcomes any intervention that helps the community,” he said.
He further emphasized that SHA is permissible under Islamic law because it is state-managed and not profit-driven, aligning with the faith's core principles of protecting human life. Abdi called on all stakeholders to provide accurate information and avoid spreading misinformation about national initiatives like SHA.
Despite the nationwide rollout of the program, enrollment in Garissa remains low. According to data from the county SHA office, only 167,900 residents—about 18.5% of the population—have enrolled. Several factors contribute to this low uptake, including the nomadic lifestyle of many residents, limited access to information, lack of identification documents, and poor network coverage in remote areas.
Ahmed Mohamed, the SHA county manager, attributed the slow registration to insufficient sensitization efforts. He urged coordinated action between the county government, which oversees community health promoters, and National Government Administrative Officers to intensify awareness campaigns and boost enrollment.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, during a recent visit to Wajir, echoed similar concerns. He stressed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders, including national government administrators, community health promoters, religious leaders, civil society, and elders, to raise awareness and support the registration drive.
The debate surrounding the SHA highlights the complex interplay between public policy and religious beliefs. While the government continues to push for universal health coverage, addressing misconceptions and fostering trust remain critical challenges. Ensuring that all residents, regardless of their background or location, have access to essential health services is a shared responsibility that requires collective effort and clear communication.