How to Register for SHA and Check Your Status in 2026 (USSD and Online)
How to Register for SHA and Check Your Status
The Social Health Authority (SHA) replaced NHIF in October 2024. Every Kenyan resident should register so that they and their dependants can access care under the Primary Healthcare Fund, SHIF and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund. Former NHIF members were migrated, but many people still need to complete or update their registration.
Ways to Register
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| USSD | Dial *147# and follow the prompts |
| Online | The SHA portal at sha.go.ke |
| Mobile app | The official SHA app |
| In person | Huduma Centres, SHA offices and with community health promoters |
Step-by-Step on USSD (*147#)
- 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.
- Confirm. You receive an SMS confirming registration and, for the self-employed, your assessed contribution.
Registering Online
- 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.
How to Check Your SHA Status
- Dial *147# and choose the option to check status.
- Use the SHA portal or app after logging in.
- Hospitals can verify your status with your ID number at the point of care.
Your status must be active for SHIF benefits. Employees should be active as long as their employer remits on time; if it shows inactive, ask HR to confirm remittances.
Paying as a Self-Employed Member
Your contribution is 2.75% of your assessed household income, with a minimum of KES 300 per month equivalent. Pay through the SHA paybill on M-Pesa using your ID number as the account number, or through the app. Paying for the full year at once avoids gaps in cover.
Adding or Updating Dependants
Use *147#, the portal or the app to add a newborn, a new spouse or remove a dependant. Keep this updated - a dependant not registered may be turned away from covered services.
Tips
- Register before you need treatment, not at the hospital.
- Keep your phone number updated, since verification uses OTPs.
- Ask the facility whether it is empanelled for the service you need.
See SHA contributions explained for rates and what each fund covers.
Employees: What Your Employer Does
If you are on a payroll, your employer deducts 2.75% of your gross salary every month and remits it to SHA by the 9th of the following month. You still need to make sure you are registered and that your dependants are listed. Check your status occasionally - if it shows inactive while deductions appear on your payslip, raise it with HR and ask for remittance records.
Self-Employed and Informal Workers
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Register | Use *147#, the portal or the app with your ID |
| Means testing | Answer the household questions honestly |
| Receive assessment | You get your assessed annual contribution |
| Pay | Through the SHA paybill on M-Pesa, monthly or for the full year |
| Stay active | Pay before cover lapses to avoid waiting periods |
Paying for the full year at once is simplest and avoids gaps when you need treatment.
Using SHA at a Hospital
- Confirm the facility is empanelled with SHA for the service you need.
- Present your ID; the facility verifies your membership and status.
- Ask the facility to confirm what is covered and whether any co-payment applies.
- Keep any documents you are given for follow-up care.
For chronic conditions, emergencies and critical illness, coverage may continue through the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund once SHIF limits are reached.
Registering Newborns and Students
Add a newborn as a dependant using their birth notification or certificate number as soon as possible after birth. Students in higher education who are not covered as dependants may need to register in their own right; check with your institution about student health arrangements.
Common Problems and Fixes
- "Inactive" status: for employees, confirm employer remittance; for the self-employed, pay any outstanding contribution.
- Dependant not found: add them through *147#, the portal or the app with their details.
- Wrong phone number: update it so you can receive OTPs and confirmations.
- Facility says the service is not covered: ask for the specific benefit rule and confirm with SHA customer care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SHA registration free? Yes. Registration is free; contributions are paid separately according to your income.
Can I register my parents as dependants? SHA defines dependants mainly as a spouse and children. Parents usually register as members of their own households.
Do I need to re-register if I was an NHIF member? NHIF members were migrated, but you should log in to confirm your details, update your dependants and complete any steps requested.
What if I lose my job? Your employer stops remitting. To stay covered, register and pay as a non-salaried member until you are employed again.