Nairobi, Feb. 26 -- Kenyans can breathe a sigh of relief as Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha announces a deferral in the commencement of contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) to a later date.

Originally scheduled to begin in the first week of March, contributions will now start on July 1, with registration of members taking place between March and June 30. Members previously registered under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will be required to register afresh to the new social health scheme.

During a national validation exercise held yesterday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the CS said that many Kenyans have welcomed the ide...