How to Pay SHA via M-Pesa Kenya (2026) — Paybill, Amount & What to Do When It Fails
If you have already registered for SHA and now you are trying to figure out how to actually pay your monthly contributions, you are not alone. A lot of Kenyans complete SHA registration and then hit a wall when it comes to payment. The paybill number is not always easy to find. The amount is confusing. And if the payment fails, most people have no idea what to do next.
This guide covers everything — the correct SHA paybill number, how much to pay depending on your income, how to make the payment step by step on M-Pesa, and what to do if something goes wrong. We have also included the most common mistakes people make so you can avoid them before they cost you money.
You cannot make SHA contributions until you are registered. SHA replaced NHIF in October 2024 and your old NHIF card no longer works. We register you in 30 minutes for KES 150 →
The SHA M-Pesa Paybill Number
The official SHA paybill number for M-Pesa payments is 200222. This is the only correct number. Do not use any other number you may have seen shared on WhatsApp or Facebook — those are frequently wrong and your money will go to the wrong account with no way to recover it easily.
Official SHA M-Pesa Paybill
200222
Account Number: Your National ID Number
Your account number when paying is your National ID number. Not your SHA number. Not your phone number. Your ID number — the one on the front of your national identity card. This is how SHA links the payment to your profile.
How to Pay SHA via M-Pesa — Step by Step
Follow these steps exactly on your Safaricom M-Pesa menu. This works on any phone — smartphone or basic keypad phone.
Open your Safaricom menu and select M-Pesa. If you are on a smartphone, open the M-Pesa app or dial *334#.
From the M-Pesa menu, choose “Lipa na M-Pesa.” This is the payment option for bills, goods and services.
Choose “Pay Bill” — not “Buy Goods.” SHA uses a paybill, not a till number.
Type in 200222 as the business number. Double check before pressing OK — wrong numbers send money to the wrong account.
When it asks for account number, type your National ID number — for example, 12345678. This is how SHA knows the payment is yours.
Enter the correct monthly contribution based on your income category — see the table below if you are unsure what amount applies to you.
Enter your M-Pesa PIN and press OK. You will receive an SMS confirmation from M-Pesa with the transaction code. Save this message — it is your payment proof.
How Much Should You Pay? SHA Contribution Rates 2025
This is where most people get confused. SHA contributions are not a fixed amount for everyone — they are based on your income category. Here is the full breakdown:
| Category | Who This Covers | Monthly Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Formally Employed | Salaried workers — employer deducts and remits | 2.75% of gross salary |
| Self Employed / Informal | Business owners, bodaboda, mama mboga, casual workers | KES 500/month |
| Vulnerable / Indigent | Government-subsidized — registered through social protection | Covered by government |
If you are self-employed — running a shop, driving a matatu, doing casual work, selling anything — your monthly SHA contribution is KES 500. This covers you and all your registered dependants. That is your entire household under one KES 500 payment per month.
If you are formally employed, you do not need to pay yourself. Your employer is legally required to deduct 2.75% of your gross salary and remit it to SHA on your behalf. If your employer is not doing this, they are breaking the law and you should flag it.
What To Do When Your SHA M-Pesa Payment Fails or Is Not Reflecting
This is the most frustrating part. You pay via M-Pesa, you get the confirmation SMS, but when you check your SHA portal the payment is not showing. This happens more than it should. Here is what to do:
SHA payments sometimes take up to 24 hours to reflect on the portal. Before you panic, check the next day. This alone resolves 70% of cases.
Open your M-Pesa SMS confirmation. Check what you entered as the account number. If you typed the wrong ID number, the payment went to a different person’s account. Contact SHA immediately.
This is the official SHA helpline. It is toll free. Have your M-Pesa transaction code ready — it starts with a letter followed by 9 numbers. Give them the code and they will trace the payment.
If the phone line does not resolve it, go in person with your ID, the M-Pesa confirmation SMS screenshot and your phone. SHA offices are in every major town and most county headquarters.
Common Mistakes Kenyans Make When Paying SHA via M-Pesa
These mistakes happen every day. Knowing them before you pay will save you a lot of stress.
- Using the wrong paybill number — Some people have shared old NHIF paybill numbers (which was also 200222 for NHIF in some regions) or completely wrong numbers on WhatsApp. Always verify the number is 200222 before paying.
- Using their phone number as the account number — The account number must be your National ID number, not your Safaricom number.
- Paying before registering — If you have not completed SHA registration, the payment has nothing to link to. Register first, then pay.
- Choosing Buy Goods instead of Pay Bill — SHA uses a paybill. Selecting Buy Goods and entering 200222 will either fail or send money to a completely different business.
- Not saving the SMS confirmation — Always screenshot or save the M-Pesa SMS. If your payment does not reflect, that transaction code is the only proof you have.
Not registered yet? We sort it for you.
You cannot pay SHA contributions without a registration. If you are stuck on the sha.go.ke portal, we handle the full registration for you — in 30 minutes, from anywhere in Kenya.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SHA paybill number for M-Pesa?
The official SHA paybill number is 200222. Use this number under Lipa na M-Pesa → Pay Bill. Your account number is your National ID number.
How much do I pay for SHA per month if I am self-employed?
If you are self-employed, a casual worker, boda boda rider, or informal trader, you pay KES 500 per month. This covers you and all your registered dependants.
My SHA payment is not showing on the portal — what do I do?
Wait 24 hours first. If it still does not show, confirm the account number you used was your National ID. Then call SHA on 0800 720 601 with your M-Pesa transaction code ready.
Can I pay SHA for my whole family with one M-Pesa payment?
Yes. Once your dependants — spouse and children — are registered under your SHA profile, one monthly payment of KES 500 covers your entire household. You do not pay separately for each person.
Do I need to pay SHA every month even if I am healthy?
Yes. SHA works like insurance — you pay every month so that when you need the hospital, it is already covered. If you stop paying, your cover becomes inactive and the hospital may ask you to pay out of pocket.
Disclaimer: mycyber.co.ke is an independent online cyber service. We are not affiliated with SHA, the Social Health Authority, or any government body. The information on this page is provided as a public guide based on official SHA communications. For official SHA support, visit sha.go.ke or call 0800 720 601.
