Kenya, July 14 -- President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), emphasising that "registering for SHIF will help us know the number of citizens," a critical step for effective healthcare planning.
Speaking at the 9th Kaptagat Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Program in Elgeyo Marakwet on July 12, 2025, Ruto highlighted that SHIF registration data will enable the government to allocate medical resources, including doctors, medicine, and equipment, to meet the nation's healthcare needs.
The initiative, part of Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, has sparked widespread discussion, with nearly 14 million Kenyans registered by November 2024, though challenges like system glitches and public confusion persist.
Launched on July 1, 2024, SHIF replaces the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), aiming to provide equitable healthcare access for all Kenyans, including those in the informal sector.
The Social Health Insurance Act of 2023 mandates registration for every citizen and legal resident, with contributions set at 2.75% of gross income for employed individuals and a minimum of Ksh 300 monthly for others.
Ruto stressed that accurate citizen data from SHIF registration allows the government to plan for primary healthcare, emergency services, and chronic illness management.
"If we know how many citizens there are, we can plan how many doctors we need, how much medicine, and what kind of equipment to send to each hospital," he said, underscoring the policy's role in addressing Kenya's healthcare gaps.
The SHIF rollout, managed by the Social Health Authority (SHA), has faced hurdles, including unprocessed claims and incomplete contracts with medical facilities, leaving some patients stranded.
Posts reflect mixed sentiments, with some users praising the initiative's potential to transform healthcare, while others criticise inadequate public education.
Citizens claim, "SHIF registration could revolutionise healthcare planning, but the glitches need fixing." To register, Kenyans can use the USSD code *147#, visit the SHA website (sha.go.ke), or seek assistance at Huduma Centres.
The process requires a national ID, a birth certificate for dependents, and personal details like employment status.
The September 30, 2024, deadline has passed, but late registrations are still possible, with SHA urging compliance to avoid gaps in coverage.
Ruto's push for SHIF aligns with his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, aiming to make healthcare affordable and accessible.
The program includes three funds: the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund, designed to cover everything from routine check-ups to specialised treatments like dialysis and chemotherapy.
Low-income families receive government subsidies, ensuring inclusivity. However, private hospitals have reported payment delays, and rural areas face challenges with registration access, prompting calls for more community health promoters.
The Ministry of Health, led by Susan Nakhumicha, is collaborating with counties to improve infrastructure and streamline the transition from NHIF.
Public discourse highlights both optimism and doubt. One post read, "Ruto's SHIF plan sounds promising, but rural Kenyans need better access to registration points."
Another citizen noted, "Knowing our citizen count through SHIF could finally fix medicine shortages."
Critics argue that the 2.75% contribution rate burdens low-income earners, despite the tiered structure.
The government has responded by emphasising that SHIF's data-driven approach will reduce inefficiencies, such as overstocked hospitals in urban areas and under-resourced facilities in rural regions.
Employers are also mandated to register employees via the SHA Employer Portal, with payroll systems like Workpay updating to automate 2.75% deductions.
As Kenya aims for 15 million SHIF registrations, Ruto's call underscores the link between citizen data and healthcare planning. The policy's success hinges on addressing technical issues, enhancing public awareness, and ensuring equitable access.
With SHIF benefits active since October 1, 2024, the government is pushing for full compliance to build a sustainable healthcare system.
The debate continues, but Ruto's vision of using SHIF to map Kenya's population for better resource allocation remains a cornerstone of his administration's healthcare reforms, promising a future where no Kenyan is left without care.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.