The Social Health Authority (SHA) replaced NHIF on 1st October 2024. Thousands of Kenyans are searching for answers on how to register, how to pay via M-Pesa, and how to check their SHIF status — we break it all down in plain English, step by step.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) was established under the Social Health Insurance Act of 2023. It officially took over from NHIF on 1st October 2024.
Unlike NHIF's flat-rate model, SHA uses a graduated contribution system — the more you earn, the more you contribute. Low-income Kenyans can pay as little as KSh 300/month.
SHA covers three separate but linked funds that work together to give every Kenyan comprehensive healthcare — from a rural dispensary to a national referral hospital.
100% Government-funded. Covers all Kenyans at dispensaries and health centres (Level 2–3). Free at the point of service. No contribution needed from you.
Funded via 2.75% of gross salary (minimum KSh 300/month, no maximum cap). Covers outpatient, inpatient, and specialist care at Level 4–6 hospitals.
Covers emergency care, chronic illnesses like cancer and dialysis, and critical conditions — areas where NHIF was notoriously weak before.
Pick your guide below. Whether you're employed, self-employed, or an employer — we explain every SHA step in simple, jargon-free language.
Dial *147# on any Kenyan number. Select Option 1 for Kenyan Citizen. Enter your National ID number. Accept T&Cs and create a 4-digit PIN. Done!
Visit afyayangu.go.ke and click Register. Enter your phone number, name and confirm via OTP. Upload your ID photo (JPG/PNG). Add your county & ward. Registration is 100% free.
Go to sha.go.ke → Register Individual. Enter your ID number, phone, email and date of birth. Set a secure password. Upload your National ID scan and submit.
Visit any Huduma Centre or SHA branch near you. Bring your original National ID. A community health promoter can assist you. Also done at government hospitals & sub-county offices.
After registering yourself, log into your Afya Yangu or SHA portal account. Go to "Dependants" in your dashboard. Add spouse and children using their ID/birth certificate numbers.
You will receive a confirmation SMS with your SHA membership number after successful registration. Save this number — you'll need it when visiting hospitals or making payments.
Important: Even if you were registered with NHIF before, you MUST re-register with SHA. NHIF registration does NOT automatically carry over to SHA. Registration is completely free via all channels.
Your employer deducts 2.75% of your gross salary directly every month (minimum KSh 300). They remit it to SHA by the 9th of the following month. Check your payslip for a "SHIF" deduction line.
Go to M-Pesa → Lipa na M-Pesa → Pay Bill. Enter the SHA Paybill number from the portal. Use your National ID number as the account number. Enter your monthly amount and confirm.
Self-employed Kenyans must first complete a Means Test via the Afya Yangu portal or dial *147#. Answer questions about your household income — SHA then calculates your specific monthly contribution amount.
You can also pay via bank transfer directly to the SHA designated bank account. Details are available on sha.go.ke. Always use your National ID number as the reference to ensure payment is allocated correctly.
Late Payment Penalty: If you miss a payment, SHA charges a 2% penalty on unpaid contributions. Employers who fail to register or remit face fines and potential imprisonment. Don't delay!
Visit any SHA-accredited public or private hospital. Level 2–3 facilities (dispensaries, health centres) are free via the Primary Healthcare Fund — no contribution needed.
At the reception, give your SHA membership number or National ID. The hospital system verifies your active cover status in real time. No card needed — it's fully digital.
SHIF covers outpatient consultations, inpatient stays, surgery, maternity, chronic disease management, and specialist referrals at Level 4–6 hospitals when your contributions are up to date.
Dial *147# or log into afyayangu.go.ke to check whether your cover is active before visiting a hospital. You can also see your claims history and dependant coverage there.
Your SHA Profile on Afya Yangu shows your full claims history, upcoming appointments, prescription records, dependant details, and insurance cover status. Keep your account updated with your current address and dependants.
Visit sha.go.ke → Register Employers. Enter your company KRA PIN, business registration number, physical address and authorized contacts. Receive your Employer SHA number.
Upload a bulk employee list (Excel format) via the portal, or add employees individually. Each employee needs their National ID, phone number and gross salary on file.
Deduct 2.75% of each employee's gross salary via payroll. Remit the total to SHA by the 9th of the following month. Keep remittance receipts as compliance proof.
SHA remittances must align with your eTims invoicing system. Your accountant should integrate SHA payroll deductions into your KRA compliance workflow to avoid penalties.
Legal Obligation: It is a criminal offence for employers to deduct SHIF from employee salaries and fail to remit to SHA. Offences carry fines and possible imprisonment. Ensure full compliance every month.
Dial *147# or visit the Afya Yangu portal. Answer household income questions honestly — SHA calculates your specific monthly amount based on your financial capacity. Min KSh 300/month.
After means testing, SHA presents your calculated monthly premium. This figure is specific to you and your household size. Keep a note of it for regular payments.
Pay your monthly premium via M-Pesa Paybill, bank transfer, or an SHA service centre. Use your National ID as your account number. Always confirm the payment went through via SMS.
If your income changes significantly (new business, job loss), you can redo your means test to adjust your contribution level. Don't overpay or underpay — SHA takes accuracy seriously.
Chama Members & Informal Sector: SHA is actively working to onboard chamas, boda boda groups, market associations and other informal workers through group registration. Ask your association leader or contact SHA to find out about group registration options.
Straight answers on SHA registration, SHIF payments, SHA vs NHIF, Afya Yangu, and more — no government jargon, no confusion.
One flat fee. One expert advisor. We walk you through every step of SHA — registration, payments, means testing, dependants, employer setup and more.
Pay KSh 50 via M-Pesa to 0727 285 985 to confirm your booking
Book via WhatsApp with a KSh 50 deposit • 0727 285 985 • Mon–Sat, 7am–9pm
I had been procrastinating on SHA registration for months. This site broke it down so simply I was done in 10 minutes via *147#. Asante sana!
I'm self-employed and had NO idea how means testing worked. The WhatsApp advisor walked me through everything in under 30 minutes. Worth every shilling.
I was registering my 12 staff members and got completely lost in the employer portal. The Done-For-You service sorted everything in one day. Highly recommend.