NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 14 – The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has collected a total of Sh79.2 billion following the rollout of the Lipa Pole Pole platform, which allows flexible installment contributions from informal sector workers.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale told MPs that the digital platform, launched in June 2025, has significantly boosted participation by enabling contributors to pay as little as Sh10 per day.
Since its rollout, 7.3 million informal sector members have undergone means testing, with an average premium contribution of Sh660. So far, the platform has collected Sh673.8 million from 323,629 members.
Duale said the Social Health Authority (SHA) is strengthening its financial position to ensure liquidity and consistent payments to healthcare providers even as total collections continue to rise.
“SHA is also working on enhancing the pool of risk for improved liquidity and financial stability, which will ensure consistent payments for services offered,” Duale said. “As of today, SHIF has collected Sh79.2 billion.”
He revealed that SHA currently owes healthcare facilities Sh15.5 billion in pending claims, while Sh22.8 billion has already been settled. The ministry attributed the backlog to delayed claim submissions and verification challenges in some hospitals.
The ongoing financial reforms, Duale added, aim to ensure timely claim settlements and improve the efficiency of fund utilization by health facilities. Currently, the claims settlement rate stands at 59 percent, with private facilities recording the lowest reimbursement rate at 56.55 percent.
The government is also sponsoring premiums for 2.2 million indigent Kenyans at Sh660 per person per month, alongside an additional 62,000 vulnerable households covered through contributions from county governments, NG-CDF, and development partners such as UNHCR.
