Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has reiterated that individuals enrolling for the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme can register up to four wives and an unlimited number of children.
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“You can register up to four wives, and all dependent children within the union are eligible for registration,” Mwaura stated.
He emphasized that this inclusivity accommodates members of the Muslim faith and others in polygamous unions, a notable shift from the previous NHIF policy, which had capped coverage at one wife and four children.
Mwaura further praised the progress of the registration drive saying:
“We are pleased to see registration numbers rising to 21.6 million, which is highly commendable. The registration process has been very successful, and we encourage Kenyans to continue signing up,” he said.
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He credited the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, for spearheading the SHA rollout.
The cost of enrollment remains low, starting at Sh 300, which is calculated using a means-testing tool. According to Mwaura, “This ensures that costs are fair and accessible; there are no additional charges beyond what is already provided for under individual and corporate payment structures.”
He urged more Kenyans to contribute consistently, saying, “Just like any other insurance, payments should not be limited to times of illness; regular contributions ensure sustainability. The higher the participation, the greater the insurance coverage for citizens.”
To increase convenience, the government is working to integrate M-Pesa into SHA contributions, particularly for informal workers and those without a fixed income. Mwaura noted that this will make it easier for Kenyans to remain in good standing with the scheme.
Earlier, Health CS Aden Duale had urged pastoralist communities to embrace SHA, quipping that it’s so affordable, “you only need to sell a goat and get covered.”
Concerns emerge over fairness of income bracket assignments
Despite the positive strides, some Kenyans have raised concerns over the fairness of the means-testing instrument used to determine payment brackets. Several individuals claim they have been placed in high-cost categories despite lacking the financial capacity to meet those rates.
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Last week, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) boss, Nancy Machari, a told parliament that SHA had declined to enroll 360,000 teachers in the scheme due to a lack of capacity.
SHA, however, refuted the claims, stating that teachers were eligible for the Primary Health Care Fund (PHCF), Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Emergency, Critical, and Chronic Illness Fund (ECCIF).
