SHA Household Registration: Step by Step for 2026

SHA household registration is free but it isn't optional. Under the new Universal Health Coverage framework, registration is no longer optional—it is a legal requirement for every resident. If you haven't registered yet, or your household is missing dependents (a common mistake), here's what you actually need to do in 2026.

The Three Ways to Register

SHA registration is free via afyayangu.go.ke, sha.go.ke, and *147#. Pick whichever feels simplest for your household. The USSD route needs no internet. The online portal takes longer but lets you manage dependents and upload documents. In-person registration at a Huduma Centre works too, but the queues can run long.

Via *147# (Fastest)

Dial *147# on your phone. Choose the option to register. Enter your ID number and confirm your details as retrieved from the national registry. Answer the means-testing questions (for non-salaried members) about your household. Add your dependants - spouse and children - with their ID or birth certificate numbers. Registration is usually instant on *147# or the portal.

The problem: the system often times out during peak hours (mornings, lunch, evenings). 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.

Via sha.go.ke or Afya Yangu (Most Control)

Visit sha.go.ke and choose the self-registration option. Enter your ID number and verify with the OTP sent to your phone. Complete personal, household and employment details. Add dependants and submit. Registration takes approximately 5–10 minutes.

This route is better if you're registering a family because you can add or change dependents easily after. To add or remove a dependant, use the household profile on sha.go.ke, not *147#. You'll need your National ID, phone number, and KRA PIN if you have one.

Your Household, Not Just You

The biggest mistake Kenyans make: registering alone and forgetting to add their spouse and children. Unlike the old NHIF system, your family is not automatically covered. You MUST manually add your dependents to your SHA profile. Without this step, your spouse and children won't be able to access treatment under your name.

Your SHA cover only extends to family members if they are specifically linked to your profile. Log into the member portal at afyayangu.go.ke, go to the household or dependents section, and add each person with their ID or birth certificate number.

Your spouse and biological or legally adopted children count. Parents and grandparents do not—they register separately.

The Means Test: What It Costs

If you're salaried, your employer handles the 2.75% deduction automatically. If you're self-employed, informal (boda boda, salon, construct, farm, anything else), or unemployed, you face a means test. It runs 30 to 45 minutes and asks about household composition, housing, water and electricity, assets, education, and employment. Wait for SHA to output your monthly premium. If your household is genuinely low-income, expect the KES 300 floor.

Do the means test honestly. It's not a trap—the system is designed to charge more if you own a car or rental property and less (even the minimum) if you genuinely have no income. Register at sha.go.ke/register, pay via M-PESA Paybill 200222 with your National ID as the account.

If your means test feels wrong once you see the monthly premium, contact SHA on their toll-free line: 0800 720 601.

What Happens Next

After you register and complete the means test, your household gets a monthly premium. Pay it via M-Pesa using Paybill 200222 and your National ID as the account number. What you then pay is the contribution: 2.75 percent of your gross income each month, with a minimum of KES 300 and no upper cap. Self-employed households also can pay for the full year upfront if they prefer.

If you show as registered but not active, it usually means no contribution has been received yet; pay the current month and it activates. Once you pay, your whole household (you plus all registered dependents) has access to public health facilities nationwide.

If you run a small business and want to register your employees, you'll need a separate employer account on sha.go.ke—that's a different process.

Common Slips and Fixes

Many people use a nickname or shortened name when registering. SHA checks it against your ID and the system rejects the registration. Use the exact name on your National ID. Same with your phone number—it must be the mobile number linked to your ID with IPRS.

If the portal hangs during OTP verification, don't keep retrying immediately. Wait a few minutes and retry on *147#, since the portal times out under load. Refresh and try again, or try *147# instead.

If you were on NHIF before 2024, you still need to register fresh with SHA. Your old NHIF membership doesn't carry over. A SHA registration expert on Kaziiko can walk you through it if you're stuck, or a Community Health Promoter in your ward can help for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register now?

Registration with the SHA is mandatory for all Kenyan residents. Every Kenyan citizen and lawful resident is required to register. Employers must also register their employees.

Does it cost anything?

Registration is free; contributions are paid separately according to your income. The contributions start after you complete the means test—not during registration.

What if I'm unemployed or have no steady income?

Unemployed Kenyans are still legally required to register with SHA and contribute. Under Tier 2 (non-salaried), a household with no declared income effectively pays the KES 300 minimum per month, the SHA-published floor. That's roughly KSh 100 per person per month in a three-person household.

Will my whole family be covered once I register?

No. You MUST manually add your dependents to your SHA profile. Without this step, your spouse and children won't be able to access treatment under your name. Add them through afyayangu.go.ke after your own registration is complete.