On a public notice to the employers, the Ministry of Health has called for a shift transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA). Enacted in 2023 to revolutionize health within reach, the government asserts that its implementation is the only way to realize Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Lauched in the preveious administrations, Ruto’s regim has maintained that UHC is in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), a political model and slogan his party rode on to cling to power.
The ministry of health has stated that SHA will be affected from October 1st, 2024, outdoing the old system (NHIF), which has since been sparked by endemic graft cases. Every Kenyan is therefore required by law to register as a member of SHA.
“Effective 1st October, 2024, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will be transitioned to the Social Health Authority (SHA). As such, every Kenyan citizen, including dependencies, is mandated by law to register as a member of the SHA,” the nitice read.
NHIF admission automatically expires by September 30th, 2024, as SHA benefits are expected to kick on the first day of next month. The ministry has also asserted that remittances received on or before October 9, 2024, will be credited to NHIF. Payments received onwards will be credited to SHA.
Employers are now required to create an account by visiting the SHA website. They will be expected to verify their accounts by following the stipulated instructions on the platform. Once the registration stage is done, they should proceed to onboard their employees by registering them and their dependents.
Employers will make SHA remittances on behalf of their employees, accessing and downloading statements and reports, and updating employee details to effect any possible changes.
For any inquiries or assistance, employers should contact SHA through their support team, via email: customercare@sha.go.ke or toll-free number: 0800-720-601.
Ruto’s first broad-based cabinet meeting, which he chaired yesterday, also recommended the acceleration of SHA to steer the government’s economic model (BETA). The cabinet urged Kenyans to register under SHA by dialing *147# or visiting the website.
