Lipa SHA Pole Pole: Flexible payment plan unveiled for informal sector

The government has unveiled a new flexible payment plan for Social Health Authority (SHA) contributors in the informal sector.

Speaking at the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay, Ruto said the plan dubbed Lipa SHA pole pole will enable Kenyans to remit their annual SHA contributions through flexible, manageable instalments, whether monthly, weekly, or even daily, based on their financial ability.

“To address persistent challenges such as irregular premium contributions among informal sector workers, we are introducing an innovative and inclusive payment solution called LIPA SHA POLE POLE “, he announced.

This, he said, will ensure families maintain continuous health coverage without financial strain, while simultaneously promoting the sustainability of the health insurance fund.

So far, 1.7 million informal sector households have successfully enrolled and paid for social health insurance, a record achievement representing the highest number of informal sector enrolments in a single year in the history of Kenya.

The facility has been made possible through a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, Mobile Network Operators, and Financial Institutions, through the Hustler Fund.

“The system is simple and accessible; citizens can dial *147# and follow the prompts to enrol and begin their contributions immediately”, he explained.

Daily registrations

Since the rollout of Taifa Care in October 2024, over 23 million Kenyans have registered, with an average of 50,000 new sign-ups recorded daily.

Ruto assured Kenyans that the new national health insurance fund is working and that the government has allocated sufficient resources to fully fund primary healthcare services.

In the last eight months, he revealed that Ksh43 billion has been disbursed in claims to facilities, with 4.5 million Kenyans having received treatment fully covered by SHA.

He said citizens can access free emergency services in all facilities, funded by the government through the Emergency, Critical, and Chronic Illness Fund.

“No Kenyan should have to choose between life-saving treatment and their dignity. Let us unite to build a healthcare system rooted in dignity, equality, and compassion; a system where access to care is a right, not a privilege for a few”, he appealed.