The Ministry of Health has directed all employers across the country to transition their employees from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the newly introduced Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
The ministry, in a statement issued on Monday, September 16, confirmed that the NHIF will be officially replaced by the Social Health Authority (SHA) on October 1, with September 30 being the last day for NHIF admissions.
“Every citizen, including dependents, is mandated by law to register as a member of the SHA,” the ministry’s statement read.
Employers are urged to register their employees on the new SHA employer portal, which is now the central platform for managing employee health contributions.
“Ensure all employees are registered with SHA before October 1,” the ministry added, stressing the importance of timely compliance to avoid disruptions in healthcare coverage.
Contributions made before October 9 will still be credited to NHIF, while any payments after November 9 will go directly to SHA.
The registration process is detailed on the SHA website, with employers required to create an account, verify it, and register their employees.
The Social Health Insurance Fund, which was established under the Social Health Insurance Act (SHIA), also comes with updated health packages.
In August, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa unveiled new benefits for members under SHIF. These include enhanced coverage for vulnerable groups, such as the Linda Mama programme for pregnant women.
Individuals with chronic conditions, such as sickle cell anaemia and diabetes, will benefit from specific coverage, with KSh 6,800 and KSh 4,300 allocated for their respective treatments.
The transition to SHIF has faced legal scrutiny, with a High Court ruling initially declaring the fund unconstitutional.
However, following an appeal by the attorney general, a three-judge bench suspended the ruling for 45 days to allow the government to appeal and prevent any gaps in the health system.
The suspension did not affect specific sections of the Social Health Insurance Act, including Sections 26(5) and 27(4).
