By Afrireport 
Nairobi County workers have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing healthcare crisis after several hospitals reportedly declined to offer services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) cover, leaving employees stranded and frustrated.
The standoff has sparked anger among county staff, many of whom now say the new cover has failed to guarantee access to treatment when they need it most.
For weeks, affected workers have shared accounts of being turned away from both private and some faith based health facilities, despite presenting valid SHA documentation.
In some cases, employees claim they were asked to pay cash upfront or seek alternative facilities, a demand many say defeats the very purpose of a medical insurance scheme deducted from their salaries.
Union representatives argue that the situation has exposed serious gaps in the transition from the previous National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the SHA framework.
They say county workers were neither adequately sensitised nor assured that hospitals were fully onboarded before the rollout.
As a result, employees are now bearing the brunt of a system still grappling with operational challenges.
This cover exists on paper, but in reality, our members are suffering,” said a union official, warning that workers with chronic illnesses and those requiring emergency care are the most affected. He added that some employees have skipped treatment altogether after repeated rejections, raising concerns about long-term health risks and productivity losses within the county workforce.
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Hospitals, on the other hand, have pointed to delayed reimbursements and unclear payment structures as reasons for hesitating to accept SHA patients.
Some facility administrators privately admit that outstanding bills from previous schemes have made them cautious about extending services under a system they say is still evolving.
Nairobi County government officials acknowledge receiving complaints and say consultations are ongoing with national health authorities to address the impasse.
They insist the SHA cover is a key pillar of the government’s broader healthcare reforms and maintain that teething problems are expected during the transition phase.
However, they assure workers that measures are being put in place to ensure accredited hospitals fully comply.
The controversy has reignited debate over the readiness of the SHA system and the broader implications for Kenya’s push toward universal health coverage.
Health policy experts warn that unless confidence is restored among both healthcare providers and contributors, the scheme risks losing public trust at a critical moment.
As pressure mounts, county workers are demanding immediate clarity, expanded hospital accreditation, and guarantees that no employee will be denied care.
Some unions have even hinted at possible industrial action if the matter is not resolved swiftly, setting the stage for a potential showdown over healthcare access in the capital.
