SHA CEO Mercy Mwangagi addresses the media during her official report at SHA offices, Nairobi on June 3, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
Kenya is embarking on a historic journey of health reform. The Social Health Insurance (SHI) Act is a bold step towards actualising Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It forms a key pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which positions access to quality and affordable healthcare as a cornerstone of national development.
BETA recognises that a healthy population is the foundation of a productive economy and that healthcare must be equitable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all Kenyans, particularly those who are underserved.
To make this dream sustainable, the SHI Act mandates annual contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund.
At first glance, this may seem burdensome. Why not stick with monthly contributions, like in the past? The answer lies in sustainability, consistency and reliability.
Annual contributions are not an arbitrary requirement; they ensure that the Fund has enough muscle to pay hospital bills promptly, support preventive care, and negotiate better services for all members. If we are to break away from the perennial cycle of delayed payments to health facilities characteristic of the defunct NHIF, medicine stockouts, and interrupted services, then the Fund must have predictable and adequate cash flow. And that’s only possible when members commit fully each year.
Imagine running a household or business where income arrives sporadically, and bills arrive consistently. Without reliable revenue, any attempt at planning collapses. The SHA is no different. The Fund can only function efficiently and with integrity if it has a clear understanding of its spending, without relying on guesses about who might pay next month.
The government is not blind to the daily realities of non-salaried Kenyans. It is precisely because of this understanding that Lipa SHA Pole Pole was born. H.E. President William Ruto officially unveiled the initiative during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2025.
Lipa SHA Pole Pole is a game-changer. It allows non-salaried Kenyans to pay their yearly SHA contributions in smaller, flexible instalments on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, depending on their earning frequency. No interest. No hidden charges. No pressure. Just manageable payments that fit into your daily life, ensuring you remain covered throughout the year.
This is not a loan. It’s not a credit facility. It is simply a structured way to fulfil your annual obligation flexibly.
Here’s how it works: After registering with SHA and completing a means test, eligible Kenyans can enrol in Lipa SHA Pole Pole by dialling *147# or *254#. The plan covers a 2-year period. You pay the first 4 months upfront and the remaining 20 months through M-PESA Ratiba (daily, weekly, or monthly) or through direct payments. If you miss a payment, the system retries automatically, and you can top up manually if needed.
This flexible payment option will ensure the Fund can plan and deliver services while also making sure that the mama mboga in Migori or the mechanic in Mathare can afford to participate in the scheme.
The goal of UHC is about coverage, trust,
equity, and dignity in healthcare. To achieve that, we need a Fund that works
for the people and a people that understand why their contributions, however
structured, matter. Let’s walk this journey together.
Dr Mercy Mwangangi is the Chief Executive Officer at the Social Health Authority
