How to Change Your SHA Principal Member or Dependants in Kenya

You can update your SHA spouse, children or other family members online at any time—no office visit needed. Unlike the old NHIF, family members do not automatically carry over when you register. Every dependant must be added manually inside your SHA portal profile under the Dependants section.

This matters urgently. Do not wait until there is a medical emergency to discover that your dependents are not captured in the SHA system. If a family member shows up at the hospital without proper registration, they will be turned away—even if you are paying contributions.

Who Can Be Added as a Dependant

A principal member can declare a spouse and up to five children as dependents. Children are covered up to 25 years of age if they are wholly dependent on the principal member and enrolled in full-time post-secondary education.

You can also register adopted children, children under your guardianship, and disabled dependants with no upper age limit if they live with you and depend on you fully. Just make sure to have the right supporting documents ready.

The Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Log In to sha.go.ke

Visit the official SHA website: https://sha.go.ke and log in using your National ID number and password. If you migrated from NHIF, use your old NHIF login details. If you don't have an account yet, register first using your ID and phone number—the system will send you an OTP to verify.

Step 2: Find the Dependants Section

After logging in, click on the "My Profile" tab and select "Dependents" to view or manage your dependent list. This is where you add new people or update existing ones.

Step 3: Click Add Dependent

Click the "Add Dependent" button. Select the relationship type: Spouse, Biological Child, Adopted Child, or Child under Loco Parentis (a child under your legal guardianship).

Step 4: Enter Their Details and Upload Documents

The portal will ask for different documents depending on who you're adding. For a spouse: National ID and proof of marriage. Please provide your spouse's phone number—an OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to them for their consent.

For 18 or older: Enter their National ID number. For aged 21–25: Upload proof of school enrolment. Over 25: Only allowed if the child has a disability and is under your care. For children under 18, you'll need a birth certificate or birth notification reference number.

For an adopted child, provide an adoption order. For a child under guardianship, submit a will, deed, court order, or other document recognised under the Children's Act.

Upload clear copies of these documents through the portal. The system will reject blurry images or documents that don't match what's in the government registry, so take time to get it right the first time.

Step 5: Submit and Wait for Verification

After you click "Save," the SHA system will verify your dependant's details against the national registry. Wait at least 7 business days before following up. If it has been longer than 7 days with no SMS and the status has not changed, call SHA on 0800 720 601 with your ID number and the dependant's details—they can check the queue manually.

Changing an Existing Dependant

Kenyans can change spouses in the SHA cover but they must produce relevant evidence. Life happens: divorce, death, remarriage. The SHA allows these changes, but you need to show proof.

In the event of a new spouse, the contributor must submit an ID and proof of marriage which is a marriage certificate. For customary marriages, an affidavit or chief's letter confirming the union may be accepted in place of a formal marriage certificate. Log back into the portal, go to your Dependants section, and update the information directly. Upload the supporting documents and submit.

If you need to remove a dependant—say, after a child turns 26—you can do this in the same section. Remove their entry and submit. No fees apply.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

You must be a fully registered and verified SHA member before the Dependants section even becomes available on your profile. If you try to add dependants before your own registration is complete, the system will block you. Fix your own account first, wait for confirmation, then come back for family members.

If your registration fails or hangs at the OTP stage, wait a few minutes and retry on *147#, since the portal times out under load. The SHA portal gets jammed during peak hours—late afternoon is usually slower than early morning.

Do not assume "Pending" means your application was rejected. The system is honest about status: approved, rejected, or pending. If it says pending and you have not heard back after a week, call the helpline.

If You Need Help

If the portal is confusing or you have uploaded documents multiple times and they keep getting rejected, reach out to a verified Kenyan expert on Kaziiko who specialises in SHA issues. Some specialists can handle the entire update on your behalf. You can also call the SHA toll-free line at 0800 720 601 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Have your National ID number and the dependant's details ready.

Alternatively, eCitizen experts on Kaziiko can guide you through the online process step by step if you prefer not to call or visit an office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay extra to add dependants?

No. All dependants are covered under your single monthly contribution. Adding a spouse or children does not increase your SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund) payment. The cost is the same whether you register alone or with five dependants.

Can my spouse or children use SHA at any hospital?

Once they are registered and you are paying your monthly contributions, yes. They can access treatment at any hospital that contracts with SHA. Hospitals verify dependent status digitally before providing services, so registration must be complete and confirmed. This is why it is critical not to skip this step.

What happens if I change my mind and want to remove a dependant?

Go to your Dependants section on sha.go.ke, select the person you want to remove, and delete their entry. Confirm the change. They will no longer be covered. You can add them back later if circumstances change, but you will need to go through verification again.

The portal keeps rejecting my spouse's documents. What should I do?

Check that the marriage certificate name matches exactly what is in your national ID registry—middle names, spelling, everything. Scan documents at high resolution (at least 300 dpi) and make sure they are not blurry. If the issue persists, call 0800 720 601 and ask them to check manually why your upload is being rejected. Sometimes it is a system glitch, not your documents.