SHA CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS HALT ON MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTION ,INTRODUCES FLEXIBLE PLAN.

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has clarified the reasons behind the recent decision to discontinue the monthly payment option for healthcare contributions, a move that sparked concern among many Kenyans.
Speaking to the press, SHA Chairman Abdi Mohammed stated that the monthly payment model was only a temporary measure intended to cushion citizens during the transition to the new universal health coverage system. He emphasized that the law mandates annual premium payments for the SHA scheme.
"The monthly option was a stopgap arrangement to give Kenyans time to adjust. Legally, all contributions are required to be made annually," Mohammed said.
To address the financial strain the lump-sum payments may cause, especially among unemployed and low-income Kenyans, the SHA has rolled out a flexible alternative dubbed Lipa Pole Pole. The new system allows members to spread their payments over time—daily, weekly, or monthly—through interest-free loans facilitated by government-backed platforms such as the Hustler Fund.
"There is no borrowing limit with Lipa Pole Pole. We are committed to ensuring that no Kenyan is left behind due to financial constraints," Mohammed added.
The SHA assured the public that the new model still ensures compliance with the law while offering flexibility to those in need.
The authority also urged Kenyans to seek more information from official SHA platforms and to avoid misinformation circulating online.