Kenya’s National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is undergoing a major overhaul, transitioning to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). This system was officially rolled out in October 2024 as part of the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative. The SHIF aims to modernize healthcare with a KSh 104 billion investment, backed by a consortium that includes Safaricom, Apeiro Limited, and Konvergenz Network Solutions, focusing on digitizing health services across public and private hospitals.However, the transition has faced significant challenges. Hospitals have struggled with system access issues, with many unable to process claims or register patients properly. Additionally, financial pressures are mounting on patients due to increased out-of-pocket costs, as the new SHIF contribution model requires 2.75% of household income, a significant jump from NHIF’s previous flat rates.Service disruptions, particularly in dialysis and cancer care, have further complicated the rollout, leading to concerns about the system’s readiness and the government’s ability to ensure seamless care for patients. Despite these setbacks, SHIF promises expanded coverage for critical illnesses, such as cancer, though the system’s implementation has been anything but smooth.