The president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, has ordered the suspension of the new National Hospital Insurance Fund's rules.

"I direct the ministry of health to immediately halt the recommendations of this proposal to allow further consultation," Kenyatta said.

According to TheStar, the proposal recommended that users will have to pay an upfront one-year subscription at registration.

NHIF's acting head of registration R.O Otom imposed new regulations with punitive measures to deter defaulting in monthly contributions.