Today's Headlines
- Lessons and Implications of the Confirmation of Charges Against Kenya's 'Ocampo Four'
- Finance Minister Quits Over ICC Charges
- Shortage of HIV Test Kits Raises Concerns
- Living On the Edge in Turkana Region
- Ali Breaks Silence, Describes Delight At Acquittal
- Uhuru, Ruto Eligible for Presidency - CIC
- Tea Sector Posts Record Earnings in 2011
- Resettle IDPs, Urges Annan
- Uhuru, Muthaura Have Done the Right Thing
- All Displaced People Should Return Home
- Concern Raised As Parents Shun Schools in Poll Violence Hotspots
- Ruling On IEBC Hiring in February
- Country Working Towards Conditions Needed for Direct Flights to U.S.
- How ICC Claimed Kibaki's Lieutenants
- Geothermal Project to Receive Sh10 Billion Funding Boost
- Five Million to Get IDs Before Elections
- Speed Up Building Port
- Uhuru and Muthaura Did Well to Quit Posts
- A Full Plate Awaits Githae
- Clashes Continue in Moyale
- Baraza Case to Be Heard Monday
- Two Firms in Joint Venture to Drill for Oil Near Lodwar
- Exit Uhuru, Muthaura
- ICC Charges Hound Uhuru Out of Treasury
- Consumers Grow Despite Inflation
- Poor Relations Between Banks Blamed for Cash Shortages
- Fish Prices Up As Vegetable Supply Dwindles
- Consumers to Pay More for Milk and Bread As Prices Rise
- Kibaki Tasks Ex-Dar CJ to Lead Probe in Kenya
- Mombasa Port Cargo Congestion Forces Three-Month Fees Waiver
Maureen Ngesa
31 August 2010
Nairobi — A judge has declined to stop the new National Hospital Insurance Fund from charging its members higher rates starting from Wednesday.
The applicants challenging the rates - who had filed two cases - were told to decide which case they wanted to pursue to avoid wasting the court's time.
Mr Kiriro Wa Ngugi and Ms Diana Patel had accused the NHIF board of breaking the law by planning to increase the money it charges members. They said that only Parliament had the powers to approve taxes through specific Bills.
Beginning Wednesday
In her ruling, High Court judge Lady Justice Roselyne Wendoh said the applicants were playing games with the court by filing two cases with similar intentions.
Initially, they filed a case asking the court to quash gazette notices published by the NHIF to announce the new deductions.
When the court declined to give injunction orders, Mr Ngugi and Ms Patel applied for a constitutional case in which they challenged the Act that gives the NHIF board the powers to review rates.
Lady Justice Wendoh, however, said the two cases, though filed in different courts, have the same implications.
"Such cases can result in embarrassment when conflicting judgments are delivered." she said.
Beginning Wednesday, the NHIF had announced plans to increase minimum deductions from Sh320 to a maximum of Sh2,000 per month.
The new rates would see Kenyans who earn more than Sh100,000 a month fork out Sh2,000 and those who earn Sh5,999 and less pay Sh150. Currently, all workers pay Sh320.
On Monday, the Industrial Court issued orders blocking the new deductions in a case filed by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions.
