NHIF Supa Cover vs. Private Insurance: I Broke Down the REAL Costs for a 28-Year-Old in Nairobi

Health insurance in Kenya is like Nairobi rent — everyone talks about it, but the numbers never seem to add up the same way.

At the heart of the debate is this question: “Do I stick with NHIF Supa Cover (now SHA), or do I top up with private insurance?”

Let’s break this down with a real scenario: a 28-year-old, single, living and working in Nairobi. No kids yet, no major pre-existing conditions, just trying to stay sorted without going broke.

Table of Contents

• What NHIF Supa Cover (Now SHA) Actually Gives You
• What Private Insurance Adds to the Table
• Cost Comparison for a 28-Year-Old Earning 80K in Nairobi
• The Reality Check
• Summary

What NHIF Supa Cover (Now SHA) Actually Gives You

NHIF Supa Cover — now transitioning into the new Social Health Authority (SHA) — is Kenya’s default safety net.

• Monthly Contribution: Flat KES 500 (under old NHIF). Under SHA, it’s 2.75% of gross income with a minimum of 300 and maximum of 5,000. For a 28-year-old earning KES 80,000/month, that’s KES 2,200/month.
• Access: Mainly public and mission hospitals, some private clinics (but usually with long queues).
• Benefits:
  • Inpatient care in public facilities.
  • Outpatient services in selected hospitals.
  • Maternity covered (but in designated hospitals).
  • Chronic illness and cancer treatment available, but usually with caps and long waits.

Bottom line: It’s basic. It will keep you from being totally exposed, but it won’t guarantee quick access to top-tier hospitals like Aga Khan or Nairobi Hospital.

What Private Insurance Adds to the Table

Private medical cover is your upgrade — it’s what gets you into better hospitals, faster queues, and more choice.

For a 28-year-old in Nairobi, here’s what entry-level private cover looks like:

• Inpatient Cover:
  • Limit: 1–3M (depends on insurer).
  • Cost: KES 50K–90K per year (~KES 4K–7.5K/month).
• Outpatient Add-On:
  • Limit: 30K–50K.
  • Cost: KES 25K–45K per year (~KES 2K–3.7K/month).
• Maternity (if needed in future):
  • 10–12 month wait.
  • Adds ~KES 20K–30K/year.

Best Features of Private Cover:

• Accepted in top private hospitals.
• Covers lab tests, scans, and pharmacy if outpatient is included.
• Faster claims, less bureaucracy.

Cost Comparison for a 28-Year-Old Earning 80K in Nairobi

The Reality Check

If you’re 28, healthy, and single, SHA alone won’t kill you — but it will frustrate you. Long queues, limited facilities, and uncertainty when you want quality care.

Private insurance gives you choice and speed — but it comes at a cost that can feel heavy if your cash flow is tight.

👉 The smart move? Do both.

• SHA (mandatory) gives you a base layer of protection.
• A lean private inpatient plan (2M+ limit) keeps you safe from catastrophic bills.
• Add outpatient if you visit doctors often or want full peace of mind.

Summary

For a 28-year-old in Nairobi, the real cost of feeling “sorted” is about KES 11,000 per month if you combine SHA + private inpatient + outpatient.

That’s less than some people’s rent in Kilimani — and way less than a single emergency bill at a private hospital.

Your choice isn’t just about money. It’s about whether you want to spend your sick day in a queue… or in a hospital bed already being treated.