Kenyans Can Now Pay SHA Health Insurance Premiums Using Hustler Fund via Lipa Pole Pole Option
Effective immediately, Kenyans can now use the Hustler Fund to pay their Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance premiums, following a recent system update that integrates the two financial solutions.
This groundbreaking initiative, announced by President William Ruto during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay, aims to provide flexible health insurance payment options for millions of Kenyans—especially those in the informal sector—through the government’s Lipa Pole Pole instalment plan.
How the Integration Works
Citizens have already begun receiving SMS notifications detailing how to leverage the Hustler Fund to finance their SHA contributions. The integration eliminates the burden of paying annual health premiums in one lump sum by allowing users to borrow funds and repay them in manageable instalments.
There are two ways to access this service:
*Option 1: Using USSD Code 254#
- Dial
*254#on your mobile phone. - Select Option 4: Lipa Pole Pole from the Hustler Fund menu.
- You will receive a prompt showing your SHA premium amount.
- Choose Hustler Fund as your preferred payment method.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to finalize the payment.
📌 Note: You must have cleared any outstanding Hustler Fund loans to be eligible.
*Option 2: Using USSD Code 147#
- Dial
*147#. - Choose Lipa Pole Pole.
- Select the SHA Contribution option.
- Pick Hustler Fund as your financier.
- Choose your preferred repayment plan (daily, weekly, or monthly).
- Confirm and complete the transaction.
Once selected, the SHA premium is paid instantly, and loan repayment begins based on your chosen schedule.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must be enrolled in the Hustler Fund program.
- A positive loan repayment history is required.
- If your SHA details are incomplete, the system will guide you through an update process before proceeding.
A Strategic Cross-Ministry Initiative
This integration is the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, Mobile Network Operators, and Financial Institutions under the Hustler Fund program.
According to government sources, the goal is to ensure that healthcare remains accessible and affordable to all, especially underserved communities.
“This is a step toward inclusive health financing. By integrating Hustler Fund with SHA’s Lipa Pole Pole scheme, we are making it easier for every Kenyan to access healthcare without financial strain,” said a senior official at the Ministry of Health.
While the integration is now functional, the Hustler Fund has yet to release a formal public statement explaining how the two platforms—each governed by distinct data and compliance protocols—were technically integrated. Users are advised to ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before initiating transactions.
