SHA Warns Kenyans Against Letting Friends Use Their Medical Cover

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has warned members against sharing their medical cover with friends or unauthorised individuals.

The authority says the practice could result in rejected medical claims and investigations into the account holder.

In a statement published on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, SHA explained how its medical cover works.

It clarified that each member’s cover is linked to their personal identification details.

Access is restricted to the principal member and eligible dependants registered under their account.

The warning followed a member’s inquiry about whether a friend could use their medical cover.

“Hello SHA is there any issue if I give somebody my cover to use like a friend is it possible,” the member asked.

SHA responded that allowing an unregistered person to access the cover amounts to misrepresentation.

The authority warned that such misuse could lead to a claim being rejected.

It also cautioned that the account could be subjected to further investigations.

Members were therefore urged to ensure their benefits are accessed only by officially registered beneficiaries.

The authority's warning also highlights the importance of protecting personal identification details linked to medical cover.

SHA Introduces Overseas Treatment Funding

Separately, the Ministry of Health has introduced a framework for financing specialised medical treatment abroad.

The programme, managed by SHA, provides up to KSh500,000 per beneficiary for procedures unavailable locally.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the policy takes effect immediately.

He said the initiative aims to improve access to life-saving procedures while strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system.

According to the ministry, the overseas treatment funding has a maximum limit of KSh500,000 per beneficiary.

The amount may be reviewed after contracting and rate negotiations with accredited foreign healthcare providers.

The framework is part of the government's Social Health Insurance scheme.