How to Register for SHIF Online in Kenya

How to register for SHIF is now one of the hottest questions for Kenyans after the Social Health Insurance Fund was officially rolled out on March 1, 2024.

The new scheme is came to take the place of NHIF and give us better, more stable access to health care.

Instead of worrying about long queues or outdated systems, SHIF registration is now easier, more modern, and designed for all Kenyans.

This How to Register for SHIF Online in Kenya guide is your simple step-by-step guide to membership. Do not worry—regardless of whether you are in Nairobi and seeking how to register for SHIF online in Kenya Nairobi, or in a smaller town, there’s a single process and it is fully online.

By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know clearly how to conduct your SHIF registration with no confusion.

1Understanding Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)

2Who Is Eligible for SHIF Registration?

3Required Documents Needed for SHIF Registration

4What Are the Types of SHIF Membership?

5How to Register for SHIF Online in Kenya

6What Next After SHIF Registration?

7How to Register For SHIF Online in Kenya Via Mpesa

8How to Sign Up for SHIF Online in Kenya Via Phone

9What are the Common Challenges and How to Address Them

10Frequently Asked Questions

11Conclusion

12References

13Recommendations

The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is a government fund that was created to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Kenyans. It works through pooling of funds, where members contribute to a common fund that is used to cover medical bills.

Instead of paying directly to hospitals, SHIF members use their regular contributions to access services such as outpatient and inpatient services, maternity, emergencies, and preventive health check-ups. The model reduces the cost of medical bills while accessing quality care at accredited facilities.

The advantages of membership go beyond the savings on costs—you have access to a large network of medical practitioners, preventive care services, and steady coverage when you need it most. The contribution rates are minimal and vary based on income, so it is fair for both low and high-income earners.

SHIF is open to all Kenyans above the age of 18, whether employed, self-employed, still in school, or retired. Voluntary membership can even register those who lack formal employment and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with healthcare security.

Who Is Eligible for SHIF Registration?

In order for you to be eligible for SHIF membership, you must meet the following conditions:

Be a Kenyan citizen or resident by law
Be over 18 years old
Have a valid national identification card (ID) or passport

Required Documents Needed for SHIF Registration

You will be needed to provide the following documents in order to register for SHIF:

National identification card (ID) or passport
One recent colored passport-sized photograph
Proof of income, for instance, payslip, bank statement, KRA PIN certificate

If you are registering dependents, you will also need to provide:

Proof of relationship, for instance, marriage certificate, birth certificate
Photos and identification documents for each dependent

Also Read – How to Register, Check Your Details, and Get Your PVC on the INEC Portal

What Are the Types of SHIF Membership?

There are two categories of SHIF membership:

Principal member: This is the person who is the primary individual in charge of the SHIF account. It’s usually the household head or main income earner.

Dependents: These are people who are covered under the principal member’s SHIF account. They are normally spouses and children. Dependents must be enrolled under the principal member’s account at registration.

It is possible to register for SHIF through three channels: USSD code, online portal, or in-person at the registration centers. However, for the sake of this guide, we will focus on the online process. Below is a step-by-step SHIF registration process in Kenya:

1: Visit the SHIF Website

How to Register for SHIF Online in Kenya

Launch a web browser and navigate to the Social Health Authority website.
Click on the “Register” button at the top of the screen.

2: Create an Account

In the subsequent page, click “Proceed” to accept the Terms and Conditions.
In the registration page, provide your personal information, including ID type and number and phone number registered under your ID.
Click “Proceed” to enable your account.

3: Complete Registration

An OTP (one-time password) will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the same on the website.
Congratulations! You have completed and submitted the online pre-registration form. Now you need to visit any authorized SHA agent for biometric verification and activation.

4: Update Your Information

Once you have completed the registration process and activated your account, Click on “Profile” on the SHIF website to update your information.
Upload your most recent passport-sized photo.
Fill in your employment status and civil status and answer the disability question.
Click “Next” to update your contact information. Once done, click “Next” again.
On the next page, confirm that everything is correct and accept the declaration by clicking on the box provided.
Click “Submit” to complete your registration.
Set up your pin, and voila! You’re all set.

Note: To view and manage your profile, log in to your Afyangu account using your ID number and the PIN you created during registration. This is similar to the NHIF selfcare portal.

What Next After SHIF Registration?

Having enrolled for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) successfully, it is important to keep your details up to date to ensure seamless access to health care services. Below are guidelines on how to successfully manage your SHIF account.

1. Updating Personal Information

To update your personal details, for instance, contact information, address, or employment status, log in to your Afyangu account using your ID number and PIN. Click on “My Profile” to update your details.

2. Adding or Removing Dependents

To add or remove dependants from your SHIF account, click on “Dependants” on the Afyangu account dashboard. You will be prompted to add or remove dependents by uploading the necessary documents and details.

3. Checking Your Contribution Status

You are able to log in to your Afyangu account and check your contribution status at any time. Click on “Overview” from the dashboard to check your contribution history and what is due for each month.

How to Register For SHIF Online in Kenya Via Mpesa

In order to register for SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund) online in Kenya through the use of M-Pesa, follow these steps:

Go to the official SHIF registration portal at https://sha.go.ke/.

Create a new account using your phone number and email, then verify the account via a code received through SMS or email.

Login to your SHIF account, fill in the registration form with personal details, add necessary documents, and even include dependents in the process.

Upon completion of the registration form, you will be prompted to pay your first SHIF contribution. To pay via M-Pesa:

Go to your phone’s M-Pesa menu.
Choose “Lipa na M-Pesa” and then choose “Paybill.”
Enter the Paybill number: 200222.
Enter your National ID number as the account number.
Enter the amount and confirm the payment with your M-Pesa PIN.

After you’ve completed the payment, confirmation is made, and your SHIF membership is initialized. You will receive a confirmation message, and you can download your electronic SHIF card for use when seeking health care services.

Signing up for SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund) online using your phone in Kenya is best and most easily accomplished through the USSD code. The following are the steps:

Dial *147# on your mobile phone (Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom works).
Select the SHIF services option from the menu displayed.
Enter your Kenyan National ID number as prompted.
Accept the Social Health Authority (SHA) terms and conditions by choosing option 1.
Set and confirm a secure 4-digit PIN for your account.
Update your personal information as prompted, e.g., employment status, civil status, and disability status (if any).

Upon completion, you will receive a confirmation message of successful registration.

This process does not require the internet and is also free of charge. After registration, you can pay SHIF contributions via M-Pesa by making payments to Paybill 200222 using your National ID as the account number.

Also Read – How to Register for SHA in Kenya | Full Guide

What are the Common Challenges and How to Address Them

While registering for SHIF and during the maintenance of your membership, you might encounter some issues. The issues and tips on what you can do to resolve them are as follows:

1. Delays in Processing Registration

Incomplete Documentation: Ensure that all documentation is complete and accurate before submission.
Follow-Up: If your registration is taking long, follow up with the SHIF administration by visiting any NHIF office or calling customer care.

2. Contribution Problems

Discrepancies in Contributions: Monitor your contribution statements on a regular basis. If you notice any discrepancies, report them to SHIF immediately to have the problem rectified.
Correcting Errors: Provide any documentation required to rectify errors in your account and to facilitate proper billing.

3. Problems Adding Dependents

Documentation Requirements: Have all documents required for adding dependents to your SHIF coverage ready, such as birth certificates for children or marriage certificates for spouses.
Verification Process: Continue with the proper verification process so that your dependents get enrolled without any delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for SHIF online?

Yes, an online application is available for most SHIF programs. Check the official SHIF website for availability.

How do I pay the SHIF registration fee?

The SHIF registration fee may vary depending on your circumstances. Visit the official SHIF website or contact their customer care for the up-to-date fee.

How to apply for SHIF?

Apply for SHIF by adhering to the registration process in this post. Gather documents needed, find a registration center, complete the form, submit documents, and pay fees.

Conclusion

It’s not hard to sign up for SHIF. If you’re aware of how to register for SHIF online in Kenya, the rest is a breeze—fill in your information, make your contribution via M-Pesa, and confirm your membership.

The new platform was designed to make healthcare more affordable and accessible so that any Kenyan can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with adequate coverage.

Whether you are in Nairobi seeking how to register in SHIF online in Kenya Nairobi or elsewhere in the country, the procedure remains the same.

By enrolling in SHIF, you are securing quality healthcare for yourself and your loved ones. Do not wait until you have a medical emergency—take a few minutes today, enroll, and enjoy the benefits of SHIF.

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