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Healthcare — SHIF / NHIF

Health

The transition from NHIF to SHIF: who pays, who is covered, what is still broken.

Afya — SHIF / NHIF — Mpito kutoka NHIF hadi SHIF: nani analipa, nani anafunikwa, na bado kuna nini.

Updated 21 Jun 2026
  • The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) replaces the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023. — Social Health Insurance Act, 2023
  • SHIF contributions are 2.75% of gross monthly salary (no cap), versus NHIF's banded model that capped at KES 1,700/month. — Ministry of Health
  • The transition has been contested in court; the Health Committees in both Houses have held public sittings on roll-out delays. — Hansard

The story so far

Kenya's health-insurance regime is being rebuilt. The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) — created by the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 — replaces the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) that has served Kenyans since 1966.

The transition affects who pays, who is covered, and which facilities accept the insurance card. Roll-out has been bumpy: court challenges, registration delays, and disputes over which services SHIF covers compared with the NHIF scheme it replaces.

Parliament's role is two-fold: oversight of the Ministry of Health's implementation, and amendments to the SHIF Act and its regulations. This page tracks both — the Hansard contributions, committee sittings, and any further Bills that change the scheme.

What Parliament is doing about it

No parliamentary documents are linked to this topic yet.

Most active voices on this issue

Members of the current Parliament ranked by their certified contributions on this issue. Select a count to read the actual speeches.

  1. 1 Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot Senate · United Democratic Alliance · Kericho 14 contributions
  2. 2 Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo National Assembly · Orange Democratic Movement · Funyula 8 contributions
  3. 3 Robert Pukose National Assembly · United Democratic Alliance · Endebess 7 contributions
  4. 4 Kiplagat Jackson Mandago Senate · United Democratic Alliance · Uasin Gishu 7 contributions
  5. 5 Anthony Kimani Ichung'wah National Assembly · United Democratic Alliance · Kikuyu 6 contributions
  6. 6 James Nyikal Wambura National Assembly · Orange Democratic Movement · Seme 6 contributions
  7. 7 Sabina Wanjiru Chege National Assembly · Jubilee Party · Muranga 5 contributions
  8. 8 Sifuna Edwin Watenya Senate · Orange Democratic Movement · Nairobi 5 contributions
  9. 9 Enoch Kiio Wambua Senate · Wiper Democratic Movement - Kenya · Kitui 5 contributions
  10. 10 Ledama Olekina Senate · Orange Democratic Movement · Narok 5 contributions

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