Kenya · Healthcare
How the Kenya healthcare system works — public vs private care, eligibility, and costs for residents and visitors.
AI-drafted, editorial review pending. The official links below are checked — confirm specifics with the authority.
Public health insurance is run by the Social Health Authority, which replaced the NHIF in October 2024 and manages three funds: the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund. SHIF contributions are 2.75% of gross monthly income with a minimum of KES 300 and no upper limit; employers deduct them from salaries, while people outside formal employment pay 2.75% of household income assessed through means testing. Care is delivered at facilities contracted by the Authority, and many employers and foreign residents add private insurance for faster access to private hospitals.
- The Social Health Authority replaced the NHIF in October 2024.
- SHIF contributions: 2.75% of gross income, minimum KES 300, no cap.
- Many employers add private insurance for private hospitals.
- Social Health Authority (SHA) — premium rates
Social Health Authority: SHIF contributions of 2.75% of gross income.
Government portals
- Business Registration Service (BRS) — Company, LLP and business-name registration, official searches and insolvency.
- Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) — Tax PINs, income tax, PAYE, VAT, eTIMS invoicing and customs.
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Work permits and passes, permanent residence, eTA and passports.
- Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) — Registration of data controllers and processors, complaints and breach reports.