Summary

The NHIF engaged the ILO to provide financial and technical support towards a feasibility study on the design and costing for the introduction of a Maternity Cash Benefit in Kenya.

The report presents an assessment of the current workforce structure, the demographic trends, the social health insurance schemes under National Health Insurance Fund and the current laws and provisions on maternity benefits in Kenya. On the basis of this analysis, the report presents for consideration two alternative policy scenarios for extending maternity income protection to all women in Kenya. The first scenario relies on the current schemes operated by NHIF for extending maternity income protection to all women, whereas the second scenario envisions the introduction of a universal cash benefit for all women currently uncovered. The report further provides a detailed costing to evaluate the financing requirements for introducing a maternity cash benefit for all women in Kenya under the two scenarios.