SHA Registration in Kenya: How to Register for the Social Health Authority (2026)

What Is SHA and Why Does It Matter?

The Social Health Authority (SHA) replaced NHIF in October 2024 under the Social Health Insurance Act 2023. You must register to access government healthcare. Without it, you pay full cost at hospitals.

Who Must Register?

Every Kenyan aged 18 and over must register. Registration is a legal requirement. Employed persons contribute 2.75% of gross salary, minimum KES 300/month. Self-employed and informal workers pay 2.75% of declared income, also with a KES 300 minimum.

How to Register — The Fastest Way: *147#

Dial *147# on your phone. No internet needed. Provide your National ID and your name is confirmed against the national register. Registration is usually instant. You'll get an SMS confirming your profile is active.

1. Dial *147#
2. Enter your National ID number
3. Confirm your details when prompted
4. Set a 4-digit PIN for future logins
5. Add dependants if needed
6. Receive SMS confirmation

Option B: Register Online at sha.go.ke

If you prefer to register using a computer or need to upload documents, use sha.go.ke or the Afya Yangu system at afyayangu.go.ke.

1. Go to sha.go.ke or afyayangu.go.ke
2. Click Register
3. Enter your National ID and a working phone number
4. You'll receive a One-Time Password (OTP) via SMS — enter it to verify
5. Create a secure PIN
6. Fill in your personal details: county, sub-county, and ward
7. If self-employed or unemployed, complete a means test to determine your contribution amount
8. Make your first payment via M-Pesa using paybill 200222, with your ID number as the account number

What You'll Pay

Employed workers: 2.75% of gross monthly salary, minimum KES 300. Your employer deducts this and remits it to SHA by the 9th of the following month.

Self-employed and informal sector: 2.75% of your declared monthly income, minimum KES 300. You declare your income during registration and pay your contribution every month, before the 9th.

Registration itself: 100% free via all channels.

Adding Dependants

Your spouse and children need to be registered to access care under your name. To add a spouse, upload a marriage certificate or affidavit. For children under 18, use a birth certificate or birth notification number. For children aged 18–25, provide proof of school enrollment.

Common SHA Registration Errors and Fixes

• "ID not found in IPRS" — Visit the National Registration Bureau office to update your ID details. Alternatively, call SHA on 0800 720 601 with your National ID and they can retrieve it.
• "Phone number already in use" — Each household member needs their own registered phone number for OTP verification.
• "Previous NHIF record found" — Your NHIF number, card, and contribution history do not carry over to SHA. You are starting fresh. Call 0800 720 601 to sort this.
• Portal loading slowly or times out — Try a different browser (Chrome works best), or use *147# instead, which works on any phone.

Key Details at a Glance

• USSD registration: *147# (works on any phone, no internet needed)
• Online portals: sha.go.ke or afyayangu.go.ke
• M-Pesa paybill: 200222 (account = your National ID)
• Contribution: 2.75% of income, minimum KES 300/month
• Helpline: 0800 720 601 (toll-free)

Need Help?

SHA registration can feel slow and confusing, especially if your ID number has issues or you're self-employed and need guidance on means testing. Find a verified SHA registration expert on Kaziiko to handle it for you — many work remotely and charge between KES 150 and KES 400.

You can also use a SHIF deduction calculator to estimate what you'll pay, or browse eCitizen experts who help with government portal navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SHA registration free?

Registration itself costs nothing. 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.

How long does SHA approval take?

Registration is usually instant on *147# or the portal. Your cover activates once your first contribution is received.

What if I'm self-employed or unemployed?

If you do not earn a salary, you are treated as a non-salaried member. You pay 2.75% of your declared monthly income, with the same KES 300 minimum. You declare your income during registration and pay your contribution every month, before the 9th, to stay active.

Do I need internet or a smartphone to register?

The *147# USSD method works on any phone—even a basic feature phone—as long as your SIM card is registered to your National ID. You do not need internet, a smartphone, or an email address to register via USSD.