SHIF vs NHIF, what changed
NHIF was a stepped table topping out at KES 1,700/month for high earners. SHIF is a flat 2.75% with no cap, so high earners pay materially more (KES 200k gross = KES 5,500 SHIF, vs the old NHIF cap of KES 1,700). Lower earners pay slightly less because of the 300 KES floor.
Where the money goes
SHIF funds three pots: the Primary Health Care Fund (universal primary care), the Social Health Insurance Fund (curative outpatient and inpatient), and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund. SHIF cover is meant to be portable across all empanelled facilities.
Self-employed / informal sector?
Self-employed contributors pay a flat KES 300/month minimum on declared income, with the same 2.75% rate applying above. Register through the SHA portal at sha.go.ke.