Kenyans Married Without Certificates to Utilize Letters from Chiefs for SHIF Registration The Kenyan government has announced that couples who are married but lack official certificates will now be able to use letters from local chiefs as proof of marriage when registering with the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). This move aims to facilitate access to affordable healthcare services for all citizens, regardless of their marital status. According to the Ministry of Health, an estimated 2.5 million Kenyan couples are currently living together without legal marriage documents. This situation has prevented them from accessing SHIF benefits, which provide comprehensive health insurance coverage for the whole family. To address this issue, the government has authorized chiefs to issue letters confirming the marital status of couples who have lived together for at least two years. These letters will be recognized as valid documents for SHIF registration and will enable couples to obtain affordable healthcare for themselves and their dependents. “This is a significant step towards universal healthcare coverage in Kenya,” said Cabinet Secretary for Health, Mutahi Kagwe. “By recognizing letters from chiefs as proof of marriage, we are ensuring that all couples have equal access to essential healthcare services.” To obtain a letter from a chief, couples must provide the following information: * Full names of both spouses * Identity card numbers * Address of current residence * Duration of their relationship * Two witnesses who can attest to the genuineness of their marriage Once the letter is issued, couples can visit the nearest SHIF office and register for the health insurance scheme. The registration process is free of charge, and premiums are affordable and based on income levels. SHIF provides a wide range of healthcare benefits, including: * Inpatient and outpatient care * Maternity services * Dental care * Eye care * Family planning The use of letters from chiefs as proof of marriage for SHIF registration is expected to significantly increase the number of Kenyans accessing affordable healthcare. The government is committed to ensuring that all citizens have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socioeconomic status or marital status.Documents Required for SHIF RegistrationDocuments Required for SHIF Registration Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has released a list of documents required for Kenyans to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). For adults without identity documents: * Apply for identity documents through the Ministry of Home Affairs. * Identity documents will be essential for the next registration exercise scheduled to begin next week. For couples without marriage certificates: * Seek help from employers who can write a letter confirming marital status. * Marriage certificates are required when listing spouses as beneficiaries. Additional Notes: * Nationwide registration exercise begins on June 21st. * Registration can be done via mobile phones or through USSD code. * Help desks will be available at identified health centers for those facing difficulties. * Community health promoters will assist those without mobile phones. * SHIF will be implemented on July 1st, with deductions of 2.75% of salary and gross income.Kenyans Married Without Certificates to Register with SHIF Using Letters from Chiefs In a move to address the plight of Kenyans who are married but do not have marriage certificates, the State Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has developed a new registration mechanism. Couples who do not possess official marriage certificates can now present letters from their local chiefs as proof of their marital status for SHIF registration purposes. This measure is intended to expand access to healthcare for all Kenyans, regardless of their marital status. Previously, individuals without marriage certificates faced challenges in registering for SHIF due to its requirement for proof of legal marriage. The introduction of this new mechanism will enable more Kenyans to benefit from the health insurance scheme. The use of letters from chiefs as proof of marriage has been implemented as a temporary measure until the National Registration Bureau (NRB) completes the digitization process of marriage records. Once the digitization process is complete, couples will be able to obtain official marriage certificates electronically. The SHIF registration process with letters from chiefs is straightforward. Couples can visit their local chief’s office and request a letter confirming their marital status. The letter should include the following information: * Full names of both partners * Dates of birth * National identification numbers * Address * Date of marriage With the letter from the chief, couples can proceed to register for SHIF at any designated registration center. The registration process is free of charge. SHIF is a government-sponsored health insurance scheme that provides affordable healthcare services to Kenyans. By enabling Kenyans without marriage certificates to register using letters from chiefs, the government aims to promote universal health coverage and improve access to essential healthcare services for all citizens.