SHA Contribution Rates Explained: 2.75% and the KSh 300 Minimum
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Quick answer
SHA contributions are set at 2.75% of income — gross salary for salaried households, deducted monthly by the employer, or household income as assessed through means testing for non-salaried households, paid annually. Either way, the contribution should never fall below KSh 300 per month.
Key things to know
- Salaried households: 2.75% of gross salary, deducted monthly by the employer, remitted by the 9th.
- Non-salaried households: 2.75% of household income as assessed by means testing, paid annually.
- Neither route should result in less than KSh 300 per month.
- Households needing financial assistance may have contributions paid by national or county government.
What this means
Your SHA contribution is the amount your household pays into the Social Health Insurance Fund. The rate itself, 2.75%, is the same whether you're salaried or not — what differs is how it's calculated and how often it's paid.
If you're salaried
For a salaried household, the contribution is 2.75% of gross salary or wage, deducted by the employer each month and remitted by the 9th of the following month. This is the most straightforward version of the calculation because it's based on a known, regular income figure.
If you're non-salaried
For a non-salaried household, the contribution is still 2.75%, but of household income as determined through a means testing instrument — looking at things like housing characteristics, access to basic services and household composition — rather than a payslip. This is paid annually, and is due 14 days before the previous year's contribution lapses. Premium financing is intended to let non-salaried members pay in intervals as income becomes available, rather than requiring one lump sum.
Why the KSh 300 minimum exists
Whichever calculation applies, the regulations set a floor: contributions should never work out to less than KSh 300 per month. This protects the fund's sustainability while still linking the figure to a percentage of income rather than a flat fee for everyone.
Government-paid contributions
For households in need of financial assistance, provision exists for national or county government to pay the contribution on their behalf. This sits alongside the standard salaried and non-salaried routes rather than replacing them for everyone.
Why you may be seeing it
- The same 2.75% rate applies across salaried and non-salaried households, just calculated differently.
- Means testing is the mechanism used to estimate income for non-salaried households.
- The KSh 300 minimum sets a floor regardless of how low the percentage calculation comes out.
- Premium financing exists so non-salaried contributors aren't forced into one large annual payment.
Common situations
Common scenario
A salaried employee checking their payslip
An employee wants to confirm that the SHA deduction on their payslip reflects 2.75% of their gross salary and not some other figure.
Common scenario
A self-employed contributor paying annually
A small business owner without a fixed salary wants to understand how their annual SHA contribution was worked out and whether it can be paid in parts.
What information may matter
- Whether your household is treated as salaried or non-salaried
- What figure (gross salary or assessed household income) the 2.75% is applied to
- Whether your contribution currently sits at or above KSh 300 per month
- Whether premium financing in intervals might apply to your situation
What you can check
- Compare your payslip deduction against 2.75% of your gross salary, if salaried.
- Check when your non-salaried contribution is due relative to the 14-day pre-lapse window.
- Confirm your monthly or annualised contribution isn't below the KSh 300 minimum.
- Ask whether interval payment options apply if a lump sum annual payment is difficult.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the rate differs for salaried versus non-salaried households — it's the same 2.75%, just applied differently.
- Not checking the means testing basis behind a non-salaried contribution figure.
- Missing the annual payment window and the 14-day pre-lapse timing.
When assistance may be useful
If your SHA contribution figure doesn't seem to match 2.75% of your income, or the KSh 300 minimum, SHA Desk can help you understand what applies to your situation.
WhatsApp SHA DeskCommon questions
Is 2.75% the same for everyone?
The rate is the same, but it's applied to gross salary for salaried households and assessed household income for non-salaried households.
What if 2.75% of my income is less than KSh 300?
The regulations set KSh 300 per month as the minimum, so the contribution shouldn't go below that.
Can non-salaried members pay in smaller amounts?
Premium financing is intended to let non-salaried contributors pay in intervals as income becomes available.
Official sources & references
Official procedures, requirements and benefits are set by the relevant authorities and can change.
By SHA Desk · Managed by Cyber Kenya
Published 7 October 2026. SHA Desk is an independent assistance service — not SHA, the Digital Health Agency or a government office. About SHA Desk