Healthcare providers across Kenya will soon receive payments after the Social Health Authority (SHA) released Sh11.1 billion to settle approved claims under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), providing a boost to facilities that rely on these funds to deliver services.
The authority said the disbursement began on Friday, March 13, 2026, and will be carried out in scheduled batches until Thursday, March 19, 2026, when all transfers are expected to be completed.
In a notice sent to contracted healthcare providers, SHA said the funds are intended to ensure hospitals and clinics can continue offering uninterrupted care while strengthening the national health insurance system.
"In our continued commitment to supporting our healthcare infrastructure, we are pleased to announce the release of Sh11.1 billion towards the settlement of approved claims under SHIF. The disbursement of these funds has officially commenced today," the notice reads.
The authority assured facilities that all claims that have successfully completed processing and approval will be paid within the stated timeframe.
SHA asked healthcare providers to allow the payment cycle to run fully before raising any concerns, explaining that inter-bank clearing procedures may delay funds appearing in some accounts.
"We advise facilities to wait until Thursday, March 19, 2026, before raising any inquiries regarding pending funds," the Authority stated.
Once the payment window ends, SHA said facilities that may not have received funds for approved claims will receive support through a reconciliation process.
"Should any facility not receive payment for their approved claims by the conclusion of this cycle, our dedicated support teams will be readily available from Friday, March 20, 2026, to provide the necessary clarifications and assist with reconciliations," said SHA.
The authority also expressed appreciation to healthcare providers, noting that their cooperation is crucial to maintaining patient access to care.
"SHA highly values the continued partnership and dedication of all our contracted healthcare providers in ensuring the delivery of uninterrupted, quality healthcare services to the public," said Mercy Mwangangi, SHA CEO, in the notice.
