First, get this in 2024: For those who never knew, NHIF is the National Health Insurance Fund, not the National Hospital Insurance Fund. Thanks!
The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is a government-sponsored comprehensive healthcare access program founded in 1966, and it is responsible for the public healthcare sector in Kenya.
For nearly six decades, NHIF has been fostering holistic and complementary treatments for all by guaranteeing low-cost to free access to medical services to all citizens as it seeks to implement Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
Is NHIF mandatory in Kenya?
The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) seeks to protect Kenyans against the financial consequences of ill health. Hence, it is committed to making meaningful health system reforms to ensure quality health provisions for everyone regardless of their ability to pay.
For this, its membership was not made mandatory when new laws and regulations meant to strengthen its service delivery were effected. Initially, it was a must for every Kenyan aged 18 years and above to register and contribute to NHIF as a public-funded health insurance scheme, but the Senate abolished that law.
Now, it is only mandatory for employed people since the national and the county governments will pay for the unemployed, thus exempted. Foreigners who will visit the country and plan to stay for more than 12 months are also expected to sign up and contribute to the fund.
Cost of being in NHIF
As seen, NHIF membership mainly comprises employed individuals as the major contributors to the fund. These are people from formal and pensionable employment.
However, it has a voluntary membership option for the unemployed whereby they register and pay a minimum of Ksh500 every month towards the Social Health Insurance Fund.
All employed members pay a percentage – currently, 2.75% – of their salaries to the NHIF each month, known as a contribution rate, and these are the latest;
NHIF monthly rates in 2024
Salary |
Amount to contribute |
| Up to Ksh5,999 | Ksh150 |
| Ksh6,000 – Ksh7,999 | Ksh300 |
| Ksh8,000 – Ksh11,999 | Ksh400 |
| Ksh12,000 – Ksh14,999 | Ksh500 |
| Ksh15,000 – Ksh19,999 | Ksh600 |
| Ksh20,000 – Ksh24,999 | Ksh750 |
| Ksh25,000 – Ksh29,999 | Ksh850 |
| Ksh30,000 – Ksh34,999 | Ksh900 |
| Ksh35,000 – Ksh39,999 | Ksh950 |
| Ksh40,000 – Ksh44,999 | Ksh1,000 |
| Ksh45,000 – Ksh49,999 | Ksh1,100 |
| Ksh50,000 – Ksh59,999 | Ksh1,200 |
| Ksh60,000 – Ksh69,999 | Ksh1,300 |
| Ksh70,000 – Ksh79,999 | Ksh1,400 |
| 80,000 – 89,999 | 1,500 |
| 90,000 – 99,999 | 1,600 |
| 100,000 and above | 1,700 |
READ: How to Add Dependents on NHIF Card
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