Kenya health agency heads face court action over NHIF staff payments

The Chief Executive Officers of Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) face potential contempt of court charges for failing to implement orders regarding former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) staff.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court has ordered SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi and PSC CEO Paul Famba to address outstanding orders by September 11, 2026, or appear in court to explain why they should not be committed for contempt. The dispute involves the computation and payment of exit packages to former NHIF employees who opted for retirement during the 2023 transition to the SHA.

Former employees have alleged financial hardship and contradictory deployment instructions following the transition. The court noted that a July 2025 judgment remains valid, as the respondents have not obtained a stay of execution.