During the meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Tuesday, the Cabinet approved the framework for a full transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) beginning July 1, 2024.

The Cabinet urged all Kenyans to register under the new scheme “in our nation’s historic endeavor to usher Kenya into the League of nations with healthcare for all.”

“Kenyans can register on the phone, at public hospitals and also by the 100,000 Community Health Promoters across the country,” the despatch stated.

SHIF aims to provide holistic healthcare for all Kenyans by expanding coverage and reducing costs.

SHIF marks a significant step towards providing comprehensive healthcare coverage for all residents. The new system aims to ensure equity and access to healthcare services by covering individuals previously left out by the current healthcare fund.

Social Health Insurance Act, No. 16 of 2023 was assented to on October 19, 2023, and came into force on November 22, 2023.

It establishes the Social Health Authority and a framework for managing social health insurance to give effect to Article 43(1)(a) of the Constitution.

The Social Health Insurance (General) Regulations, 2024 (“the Regulations”) will operationalize: The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF); the Primary Health Fund (PHF); Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF); registration of every person resident in Kenya as provided for in the SHIFA; and the mode of payment of contributions as provided for under the SHIFA.