A trade Union official has challenged the Government to revoke the new National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) rates since it is unrealistic to the low income earners.
Kisii Branch Secretary of Kenya Agricultural Plantations Workers Union (KAPWU), Mr Thomas Maroko has criticised the Government's move to unilaterally implement the new rates without consultations with the public before adopting the new rates.
Speaking to Hivisasa in Kisii town, Maroko expressed concern that the new rates will lock out members of the society from poor background from accessing quality health care services since it will be expensive for them to subscribe for medical cover under the new rates.
"The Government should revoke the implementation of the new NHIF rates since they are practically unrealistic based on the majority of the Kenyans' income standards," said Maroko.
He argued that implementing the new NHIF rates was a message to the less fortunate and low income earners in the country that they are on their own and their health demands will not be catered for by the cover.