Nurses have opposed a plan by the government to introduce a three per cent housing levy.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses SG Seth Panyako on Sunday opposed the 2.7 per cent increment in the National Health Insurance Fund contributions by the government.
“The nurses of this country are saying no to three per cent, they are saying no to increment in NHIF by 2.7 per cent,” Panyako said.
“We want first of all to have accountability on how the money that we have been giving to NHIF has been used.”
Last month, President William Ruto said civil servants will start contributing three per cent of their income to a Housing Fund.
He said this was part of a plan the State will soon introduce.
Ruto said the contribution will help civil servants purchase houses built under the Affordable Housing project.
"To enable many Kenyans to buy houses under the affordable housing project, we have a housing fund to which we want every Kenyan to contribute three per cent of their income. If you earn Sh10,000, 3 per cent is Sh300 every month goes towards the fund," Ruto said.
Last week, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary general Francis Atwoli hit out at unions who are opposing the housing levy proposal.
Atwoli said he invited all union leaders and the President to have a social dialogue on various issues including the three per cent housing fund levy.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Saturday weighed in on the ongoing debate about the Housing Fund tax proposed by President Ruto.
Raila said the idea is good but some Kenyans already have houses and should not be subjected to Housing Fund tax.
"We must agree that when you tax people to build houses, first ask them to know if they are willing to get taxed and why should you tax someone who has a house?" Raila said.
