Marriage Certificates Not Required for New Health Insurance Registration, Announces Health Cabinet Secretary

Health Cabinet Secretary, Susan Nakhumicha, has revealed a significant change in health insurance registration requirements, stating, “Couples no longer need to present their marriage certificates.” This announcement follows a meeting with the National Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee held in Nairobi on February 29.

Responding to concerns raised by some Members of Parliament regarding the necessity of marriage certificates, particularly for individuals who underwent traditional weddings, Secretary Nakhumicha emphasized, “Marriage certificates are no longer a prerequisite for registration. Instead, couples need to provide evidence of their marital status.”

While national identity cards and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) remain essential for registration, individuals will also undergo biometric data collection during the process.

Addressing the issue of insurance coverage for polygamous families, the government has determined that individuals seeking to include multiple spouses in their insurance policies will be subject to additional fees. This decision is based on the principle that household income encompasses the earnings of all spouses, ensuring fairness in the insurance scheme.

Originally slated to commence on March 1, the rollout of the new health insurance registration has been postponed to July 1. This delay is attributed to the government’s intention to initiate salary deductions of 2.75% for insurance purposes starting from July 1.

Reported by Jesse Abisheck. For inquiries, contact abijessyshi@gmail.com.