• SHIF is a new initiative by President William Ruto that will replace the old National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF)
  • SHIF will also require all foreigners visiting the country for more than 12 months to enroll and contribute to the scheme,
  • And those staying for less than a year to buy travel health insurance.

Kenya is gearing up for the launch of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) registration process, which will mark a major step towards achieving universal health coverage by 2025.

SHIF is a new initiative by President William Ruto that will replace the old National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and provide comprehensive health coverage to all Kenyans, regardless of their income or employment status.

According to the Social Health Insurance (SHI) Act 2023, registration is mandatory for every person residing in Kenya.

SHIF will be funded by a mandatory contribution of 2.75% of the salaries of all workers, as well as subsidies from the national and county governments for the needy and vulnerable.

SHIF will also require all foreigners visiting the country for more than 12 months to enroll and contribute to the scheme, and those staying for less than a year to buy travel health insurance.

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SHIF will offer a comprehensive package of benefits, covering primary, secondary, and tertiary care, as well as emergency, critical, and chronic illness. SHIF will also promote preventive and promotive health, such as immunization, maternal and child health, and nutrition. SHIF will contract public and private health facilities, ensuring quality standards and accountability.

SHIF registration is set to commence on March 1, 2024, following the approval of the necessary regulations by the Cabinet and the Parliament. The Ministry of Health has announced that it will conduct a nationwide campaign to sensitize the public and the stakeholders on the benefits and the procedures of SHIF registration.

Health CS Nakhumicha said that SHIF is a cornerstone of President Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and that it will transform Kenya’s healthcare landscape and improve the health outcomes and the well-being of the citizens. She urged all Kenyans to embrace SHIF and register for the scheme as soon as possible.