Mombasa based NGO Mashinani watch organisation has welcomed the move by president Uhuru Kenyatta to suspend the new rules that had been set by the national health insurance fund (NHIF).

Addressing the nation from Mombasa, Uhuru ordered for the suspension of the rules to pave way for consultations.

“Given my administration’s commitment to provide affordable health, I am today directing the Ministry of Health to immediately halt the implementation of these proposals to allow for further consultations,” he said in his speech.

According to Mashinani watch Chairman Moffat Mutero the president has acted in the interest of the local mwananchi who have been complaining about the new rules.

"We were even thinking of going to the court as an organisation to sue NHIF" said Mutero.

Adding "This is the best gift for the new year that the president has given us".

Some of the contentious rules included all married individuals would only be allowed to enlist a single spouse and a maximum of five children as beneficiaries,  requiring individuals who voluntarily join the scheme to wait for three months before accessing scheme benefits..

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) had also come out to oppose the rules.