Quick Answer
Registration with SHA is mandatory for Kenyan residents and is done afresh — your NHIF number does not transfer. Employed people contribute 2.75% of gross pay; others pay based on a means test, with a monthly minimum.
Key facts
- Registration is mandatory and must be done afresh.
- Employed people contribute 2.75% of gross salary, with no upper cap.
- Self-employed people pay from a monthly minimum after a means test.
- You can register by phone, online, or at a Huduma Centre.
How to register
Registration is free and required even if you were an NHIF member. You can register by **dialling *147#, through the Afya Yangu portal (afyayangu.go.ke), or at a Huduma Centre**. You choose a nearby Level 2 or 3 facility as your primary provider, and add dependants.
What you contribute
Contributions are income-based:
- Employed — 2.75% of gross monthly salary, deducted by your employer, with a stated monthly minimum and no upper cap.
- Self-employed / informal — an amount based on a means test of household income, from a monthly minimum.
- Contributions are due monthly (employed contributions by the 9th).
Exact rates, minimums and deadlines are set by regulation and can change — confirm the current figures before relying on them.
Using your cover
Cover generally works through a referral system: you start at your registered primary facility and are referred upward for specialist or hospital care. Emergencies are exempt from the referral requirement.
Why this matters to you
If you are not registered and contributing, you may be turned away or face large out-of-pocket bills. Knowing how to register — and that emergencies are exempt from referral — protects you when you need care most.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register for SHA?
Dial *147#, use the Afya Yangu portal, or visit a Huduma Centre — registration is free.
How much do employed people contribute?
2.75% of gross monthly salary, with no upper cap.
Do I need a referral?
Generally yes — start at your primary facility — but emergencies are exempt.
Sources & references
- Social Health Authority — sha.go.ke
- Social Health Insurance (General) Regulations — kenyalaw.org