NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo has sharply criticised the government’s AI-driven Social Health Authority (SHA) contribution system, accusing it of unfairly burdening poor Kenyans while favouring the wealthy.
In a statement, Odhiambo described the system as “digital poverty extraction,” arguing that the algorithm used to determine health contributions disproportionately penalises low-income earners.
“A single mother earning KSh3,500 a month is now billed KSh1,030 for health cover,” she said. “That is digital poverty extraction.”
The lawyer linked the issue to broader concerns about the economic burden carried by women, especially mothers from poor and working-class households.
Referencing a recent Daily Nation cover story on motherhood and economic hardship, Odhiambo argued that many women already shoulder invisible, unpaid labour that sustains families and communities.
“Instead of easing that burden, the system is now digitising it,” she said.
According to Odhiambo, the algorithm reduces struggling Kenyans to “affordability scores” without considering the realities of caregiving, vulnerability and survival.
She claimed concerns about the fairness and transparency of the system had been raised before the rollout of SHA, but the government proceeded regardless.
“Many reports flagged this system as flawed and inequitable before it was even launched. The Government chose to proceed anyway,” she stated.
Odhiambo further alleged that despite millions registering under SHA, only a fraction are making regular contributions, leaving many Kenyans unable to access healthcare services.
“Today, only five million of 22 million registered members pay regularly and Kenyans are dying because they cannot afford to walk into a facility,” she said.
The former LSK president accused the system of entrenching inequality under the guise of technology-driven efficiency.
“Technology should serve human dignity. This one entrenches inequality and calls it algorithmic neutrality,” she said.
“The poor are not data points. They are Kenyans who deserve better healthcare.”
The SHA programme, which replaced the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), has faced persistent criticism from sections of the public, healthcare stakeholders and opposition leaders over contribution rates, service access and operational challenges.
The government, however, has defended the system, saying it is designed to deliver universal health coverage and expand access to healthcare services for all Kenyans.
