National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) is a fund established under NHIF Act to provide medical insurance cover to all its members and their declared dependents.

Membership to NHIF is open to all residents in Kenya of 18 years of age and above and have a monthly income of more than Kshs. 1,000.

It is a legal requirement that all persons in formal employment contribute monthly towards NHIF. A standard contribution is paid through monthly deductions from the employee’s salary. The employer is required to deduct and to pay the contribution to NHIF every month. Failure to make the payment will attract a fine not exceeding Ksh. 50,000.

The monthly deductions should be remitted before the 9th of every month. Failure to remit by the due date will attract a late payment penalty of five times the amount of contributions.

The NHIF contribution rates is based on gross income, with the lowest contribution being Ksh 150 per month on monthly income up to Ksh 5,999, while the highest contribution being Ksh 1,700 on a monthly income over Ksh 100,000.