The government is urging parents to register all school-aged children as dependents under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) before the start of the third term on August 26.
This call follows the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, which took effect on November 22, 2023.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang announced in a communiqué that registrations can be completed via the website sha.go.ke.
The USSD code *147#, or afyangu.go.ke, according to the provided registration manual.
Kipsang highlighted that the government, through the Social Health Authority, has introduced an enhanced benefits package specifically designed for students.
This package will continue to operate under the Edu Afya name, which SHIF replaces.
The new law mandates that all Kenyans, including children, must register with SHIF.
To facilitate this, a nationwide registration campaign was launched on July 1, aiming to advance the goal of Universal Health Coverage.
The government stressed the importance of registering students to ensure they receive health coverage under the Edu Afya package.
The government is also relying on a grace period granted by the Court of Appeal.
On August 15.
The court extended a stay on a High Court order that had halted the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHIF.
The Court of Appeal, in a ruling by Justices Francis Tuiyott, Ali Aroni, and Lydia Achode, maintained the status quo until September 20, when further decisions will be made.
