How to Register for SHA (Social Health Authority) in Kenya 2026

If you have been putting off sorting out your health insurance because you are confused about what happened to NHIF, you are not alone. Millions of Kenyans are in the same position. NHIF was replaced by the Social Health Authority — SHA — and the transition has left many people unsure whether they are still covered, how to register, and what the new system actually means for them.

This guide cuts through the confusion and gives you a clear, practical walkthrough of SHA registration in 2026 — whether you are employed, self-employed, or in the informal sector.

NHIF Is Now SHA — What Changed and What It Means for You

The National Health Insurance Fund was officially replaced by the Social Health Authority in October 2023 following the Social Health Insurance Act signed into law by President Ruto. The transition has been phased in through 2024 and 2025, with 2026 being the year full enforcement and integration with government health facilities is expected to be complete.

The key differences between NHIF and SHA are significant. Under NHIF, contributions were fixed at KSh 500 per month for most informal sector workers. Under SHA, contributions are income-based — you pay a percentage of your gross income rather than a flat rate. For employed Kenyans, the contribution is 2.75% of gross salary deducted at source by your employer. For self-employed and informal sector workers, you self-declare your income and pay accordingly, with a minimum contribution set for those with very low or no formal income.

SHA also introduced three funds — the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund — replacing the single NHIF structure. In practice, what this means for most Kenyans is that you need to register fresh under SHA even if you were previously an NHIF member, and you need to ensure your dependants are also registered under your account.

Who Must Register for SHA and By When

Every Kenyan is required by law to register for SHA. This includes salaried employees in both the public and private sectors, self-employed individuals including traders, bodaboda operators, farmers, and freelancers, students, and even those with no income who can register under the subsidised indigent category.

If you are employed, your employer is required to register you and deduct contributions from your salary. However, many employers — particularly smaller businesses — have been slow to comply, so it is worth confirming with your HR department whether you are already registered.

If you are self-employed or in the informal sector, registration is your own responsibility. There is no formal deadline that has been publicly enforced as of mid-2026, but unregistered individuals cannot access SHA-covered services at public hospitals and will pay out of pocket for treatment that registered members receive at subsidised or zero cost.

SHA Registration on Your Phone vs eCitizen Portal

SHA registration can be done in two ways — through the SHA self-service portal at sha.go.ke or through the eCitizen platform at ecitizen.go.ke. Both work on mobile browsers and do not require a laptop.

The SHA portal at sha.go.ke is the more direct route and is what most people use. The eCitizen route links to the same SHA system but routes you through the eCitizen login first. Either method works — the result is the same.

For most people reading this, going directly to sha.go.ke on your phone browser is the fastest path.

Step-by-Step SHA Registration Guide

Open your browser and go to sha.go.ke. On the homepage, click Register or Self Registration depending on the version of the page showing.

You will be asked to enter your national ID number. Type it in and click Verify. The system will pull your details from the national population register — your name and date of birth should appear automatically. If they do not match your ID, you will need to visit a Huduma Centre to resolve the discrepancy before proceeding.

Once your details are verified, enter your mobile phone number. This will become your SHA registered number — make sure it is a number you actively use because SHA communications, appointment reminders, and contribution receipts will be sent to it.

Create a password for your SHA account. Choose something you will remember — you will need this to log in and manage your account going forward.

Select your membership category. The options include employed, self-employed, student, and indigent. Choose the one that most accurately describes your situation. If you are self-employed, you will be asked to declare your monthly income — this determines your contribution amount.

Add your dependants — spouse and children — at this stage. Each dependant needs their own ID number or birth certificate number to be added to your account. Children under 18 are covered under your membership without additional contribution.

Review all your details and click Submit. You will receive an SMS confirmation with your SHA membership number.

How to Change Your SHA Mobile Number

If you registered with a number you no longer use, or if you lost your SIM card, you can change your SHA registered mobile number through the SHA portal.

Log in to sha.go.ke with your ID number and current password. Go to My Profile or Account Settings. Look for the option to update your mobile number. You will be sent an OTP to your current number to verify the change — this is why it is important to keep your registered number active.

If you no longer have access to your old number at all, you will need to visit a SHA service centre or Huduma Centre in person with your original national ID to have it updated manually.

How to Reduce Your SHA Premium

For self-employed members who declared a high income during registration but whose financial situation has changed, SHA allows you to update your income declaration which will adjust your monthly contribution downward.

Log in to sha.go.ke, go to your profile, and look for the income update or contribution adjustment option. You will be asked to provide your revised monthly income figure. The system recalculates your contribution and the new amount takes effect from the following month.

Note that deliberately under-declaring income to reduce contributions is a violation of the SHA Act and can result in penalties, so declare honestly based on your actual earnings.

SHA for Self-Employed and Informal Sector Workers

This is the category where most confusion exists. If you run a small business, work as a casual labourer, drive a bodaboda, sell goods in a market, or do any form of informal work, you register as self-employed.

During registration, declare your average monthly income as honestly as you can. If your income varies significantly month to month, use a realistic average. The minimum contribution for very low income earners is set at a level meant to be affordable, and those who genuinely cannot afford contributions can apply for the indigent category where the government subsidises their coverage.

Contributions for self-employed SHA members are paid monthly through M-Pesa. After registration, you will receive payment instructions including the SHA paybill number and your membership number as the account number.

Common SHA Registration Errors and How to Fix Them

The most common error is the system saying your ID number is not found. This usually means your ID details in the national population register do not match the SHA system. Visit a Huduma Centre with your original ID to have this resolved.

If the system accepts your ID but shows wrong personal details, do not proceed — contact SHA support or visit a service centre to correct the underlying data before completing registration.

If you get an error during payment, check that you entered your SHA membership number correctly as the M-Pesa account number. A single digit error will cause the payment to fail or go to the wrong account.

If you registered but did not receive a confirmation SMS, log back into sha.go.ke with your ID number and check your account status. If your account shows as active, you are registered — the SMS may have been delayed.

Checking Your SHA Status and Getting Your Membership Card

To check whether you are registered and your account is active, go to sha.go.ke and log in. Your dashboard will show your membership status, your membership number, your contribution history, and your registered dependants.

Your SHA membership card can be downloaded as a digital card from the portal or requested as a physical card through the same platform. The digital version on your phone is accepted at all SHA-contracted health facilities.

Need Help? SkillForge SHA Registration Assistance

If you are getting errors, your ID is not being found, you are unsure which membership category applies to you, or you simply want someone to handle it correctly the first time, SkillForge can register you for SHA remotely. We walk through the entire process with you, resolve common errors, and make sure your account is active and your dependants are added correctly.

The cost is KSh 100 to 200.

📲 WhatsApp us on 0757 179 712 — send "SHA REGISTRATION" and we will sort it out for you today.

Your health coverage should not be delayed by a confusing registration process. Get it done today.