More than 32 million Kenyans have registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), but only about five million are actively contributing to the scheme, the National Assembly Health Committee has been told.
SHA chief executive officer Mercy Mwangangi gave the figures during a joint retreat involving the committee, SHA and the Digital Health Agency in Mombasa on Friday.
According to Mwangangi, 32,180,494 Kenyans had registered with SHA by July 31, 2026, representing 67.7 per cent of the country's population.
The committee welcomed the registration numbers but urged SHA to focus on getting more registered members to make regular contributions and remain active under the scheme.
Committee chairperson James Nyikal said the number of people registered should not be used as the only measure of progress.
“Registration is not enough. We should put more energy into ensuring that more people are paying for health insurance,” Nyikal said.
Nyikal said the authority should now focus on increasing the number of registered Kenyans who maintain active membership.
Endebess MP Robert Pukose said MPs, county governments and other grassroots leaders should be involved in public awareness campaigns on SHA contributions.
“This matter should concern all of us. SHA should consider partnering with leaders to create awareness on the importance of paying for SHA after enrolment. You should also work closely with county governments,” Pukose said.
Moyale MP Guyo Jaldesa, Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oroni, Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino and Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli also called for increased public engagement and new approaches to encourage households to maintain their contributions.
Mwangangi said SHA was developing more flexible contribution arrangements to accommodate households whose incomes are irregular or seasonal.
She also told the committee that SHA was following up with registered members whose coverage had become inactive.
The issue of active membership comes as SHA continues to face questions over the management of the health fund and suspected fraudulent claims.
Media reports in January said SHA had lost Sh11 billion to fraudulent claims between October 2024 and April 2025, with private hospitals accounting for a substantial share of the suspected losses.
In July, five directors were arraigned over alleged irregularities involving medical claims submitted by healthcare providers contracted by SHA.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said a forensic audit had identified anomalies in claims submitted by some providers. The DCI also reported cases involving health facilities that had been closed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council but allegedly remained active under SHA contracts.
The suspects face allegations and will have an opportunity to respond to the charges through the court process.
The government has taken action against some healthcare facilities suspected of submitting fraudulent claims, while SHA has continued to strengthen systems for detecting irregular claims.
The committee also raised concern over low registration in some parts of the country.
SHA identified Turkana, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, Mandera, Tana River, Isiolo, Narok, West Pokot and Trans Nzoia among counties with the lowest registration levels.
MPs called for intensified registration campaigns in the affected counties while also urging SHA to address the factors behind inactive membership.
The committee said contribution mechanisms should take into account the different income patterns of Kenyans, particularly those working in the informal sector.
The retreat brought together lawmakers and officials from SHA and the Digital Health Agency to review the implementation of Universal Health Coverage, assess challenges facing the reforms and consider measures to improve the health financing system.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting UHC through legislation, budgetary allocations and oversight.
It also said it would continue working with SHA, the Digital Health Agency, the Ministry of Health, county governments and other stakeholders on the implementation of the health reforms.
