SHA paybill explained: paying your Social Health Authority contribution in 2026

The Social Health Authority (SHA) replaced NHIF (National Hospital Insurance Fund) as Kenya's primary public health insurance system in 2024-2025. The transition was rocky — system bugs, member-data migration issues, and confusion about contribution rates characterised the first year. By 2026 it's settled into a working system, but several features still confuse Kenyans paying contributions for the first time. Here's the practical guide.

What changed from NHIF to SHA

NHIF was Kenya's public health insurance from 1966 to 2024. It charged graduated monthly premiums based on income (KES 150 minimum to KES 1,700 maximum for high earners). Coverage was real but limited — outpatient care had restrictions, drug coverage was partial, and major hospitals frequently rejected NHIF claims due to administrative delays.

SHA, established by the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, replaced NHIF in stages from late 2024 through 2025. Key changes:

• Contribution structure changed. All Kenyans (with limited exceptions) contribute 2.75% of household monthly income, with a minimum contribution of KES 300/month.
• Coverage broadened. Outpatient consultations, primary care visits, drugs, and many specialist services are covered without referral, which NHIF did not consistently cover.
• Three-fund structure. SHA splits funds across three: Primary Healthcare Fund (PHCF) for outpatient and primary care; Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for inpatient and specialist; and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF) for major events.
• Mandatory enrollment. All Kenyans aged 18+ must register, regardless of employment status.

Who has to pay (and how much)

Practically, three contribution categories exist:

Salaried employees

2.75% of gross monthly salary deducted by the employer. Minimum KES 300/month. Employer remits via SHA's employer portal — you don't pay individually. Check your payslip to confirm deduction.

Self-employed and informal-sector workers

Self-declared monthly income × 2.75%, minimum KES 300. Pay via paybill 222111 monthly. The government may cross-reference declarations against other income signals (bank deposits, M-Pesa volume) over time.

Dependants and indigent

Spouses and children of contributing members are covered automatically. Indigent Kenyans — those classified as too poor to contribute — have contributions paid by the government, but must register at a Huduma Centre or via sha.go.ke to be classified.

How to pay via M-Pesa paybill 222111

1. Open M-Pesa (USSD *334# or app).
2. Select Lipa na M-Pesa, then Pay Bill.
3. Business Number: 222111.
4. Account: your National ID number (no spaces, no leading zeros).
5. Amount: your monthly contribution (minimum KES 300).
6. Enter PIN, confirm.
7. Save the transaction code — your proof of contribution.

SHA typically updates your contribution status within 1-3 working days. Check status on sha.go.ke by logging in with your ID number.

Recovering missed contributions

If you missed contributions in earlier months, you can back-pay multiple months at once using the same paybill. Each month's contribution counts toward your active period — the system credits the months in order.

Active SHA membership is required for benefits. If your contributions are 60+ days overdue when you need care, you may be required to back-pay before claims are processed. Best practice: pay monthly to maintain continuous active status.

Paying SHA from abroad

Diaspora Kenyans paying for parents or family back home use the same paybill (222111) with the family member's National ID as account. Most major remittance providers (Wise, Sendwave, Lemfi, WorldRemit) support direct paybill deposit — see our diaspora paybill guide.

Common diaspora pattern: pre-pay 12 months of SHA contributions in one transfer at the start of the year. KES 300/month × 12 = KES 3,600 (~ USD 27 / GBP 22) for the minimum contribution category. This avoids monthly micro-transactions and keeps coverage active without thinking about it.

What SHA actually covers in 2026

SHA coverage is broader than NHIF's but with caveats:

• Primary healthcare: consultations at Level 2-3 facilities, basic drugs, immunizations, family planning. Free at point of service for active members.
• Outpatient specialist: covered with referral from primary facility.
• Inpatient: covered at SHA-accredited hospitals (most public, select private).
• Maternity: antenatal, delivery, postnatal — covered at SHA-accredited facilities.
• Chronic illness: diabetes, hypertension, HIV, TB, kidney disease, cancer — covered with conditions.
• Mental health: outpatient counselling, inpatient psychiatric care.
• Emergency: covered through ECCIF for life-threatening events.

Not covered: most cosmetic procedures, fertility treatment beyond basic interventions, certain experimental therapies. The full benefits package is published on sha.go.ke and updated annually.

Five common SHA issues

1. Wrong ID format. Some users include leading zeros or spaces in the ID number. Use the exact ID number as printed on your card, no spaces.
2. Status not updating. SHA system updates can lag 1-3 days. Wait, then check sha.go.ke. If still not updated after 7 days, contact SHA on 0709 717 000.
3. Hospital says you're inactive. Bring the M-Pesa transaction code for your last contribution. Hospitals can verify active status manually.
4. Migrated NHIF balance not credited. Some pre-2024 NHIF balances were not transferred to SHA. Visit a Huduma Centre with NHIF receipts to claim.
5. Self-declared income disputed. If you under-declared income to reduce contributions, SHA may request supplementary contributions retroactively. Declare honestly.

For employers

Employers must register on sha.go.ke and remit employee contributions monthly via the employer portal (separate from paybill 222111, which is for individuals). Penalties apply for late employer remittance.

SHA resources

• sha.go.ke — official portal, member registration, status check
• SHA helpline: 0709 717 000 (Kenya)
• Huduma Centres — in-person registration and assistance
• paybillke SHA paybill page for the live verified number