Francis Atwoli lands government appointment

By Peter Ochieng

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has landed a government appointment.

He has been appointed a member of the Social Health Authority (SHA). The COTU boss was appointed via a gazette notice dated November 22, 2023, by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 (1) of the Social Health Insurance Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Health appoints-under paragraph (e)- Zakayo Kariuki Gichuki (Dr.), Under paragraph (h) (ii) Jacinta Kathamu Mutegi, under paragraph (h) (iv)- Francis Atwoli as members of the Social Health Authority, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 22nd November, 2023," the notice reads.

The Social Health Authority was established under the Social Health Authority Act, 2023.

According to the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, the Authority shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall, in its corporate name, be capable of suing and being sued, taking, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging and disposing of movable and immovable property; receiving, investing, borrowing money; and doing or performing such other things or acts necessary for the proper performance of its functions under the Act.

Functions of the Authority shall be to register the beneficiaries in accordance with this Act; manage the Funds established under the Act; receive all contributions and other payments required by the Act to be made to the funds; contract healthcare providers and healthcare facilities upon successful certification by the relevant body; consider and make payments to contracted healthcare providers and healthcare facilities out of the funds in accordance to the provisions of the Act; develop guidelines for the operations and implementation of the funds established under the Act; establish sectoral linkages for effective management and growth of the funds among others.

In terms of leadership, the Authority shall be managed by a board which shall consist of a non-executive chairperson, who shall be appointed by the President; the Principal Secretary in the ministry for the time being responsible for matters relating to health or a designated representative; the Principal Secretary in the ministry for the time being responsible for matters relating to finance or a designated representative, the Director-General for Health, the Attorney-General or a designated representative, one person, not being a Governor, nominated by the Council of Governors with knowledge in field of finance, accounting, health economics, law or business and management.

Other appointees are one person, not being a public officer with proven experience in matters of health insurance, health financing, financial management, health economics, healthcare administration, four persons, not being public officers, nominated by the Kenya Medical Association, the informal sector association; health care providers and the Central Organization of Trade Unions Kenya.