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
- Final Word
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
| Cover Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHIF / SHA (2.75%) | KES 2,200 | KES 26,400 | Public hospital care, limited private |
| Private Inpatient (2M–3M limit) | ~KES 6,000 | ~KES 72,000 | Admission to top-tier hospitals |
| Private Outpatient Add-On | ~KES 3,000 | ~KES 36,000 | GP, labs, scans, meds |
| Total Combo (NHIF + Private In & Out) | ~KES 11,200 | ~KES 134,400 | Comprehensive care, public + private |
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.
Final Word
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.