The Social Health Authority (SHA) in Kenya has announced a 14-day extension for healthcare providers to complete their contracting process for the 2026-2029 cycle. The deadline, initially set for September 30, has been pushed to October 14, 2026. This decision aims to give healthcare facilities, both public and private, sufficient time to finalize their agreements and complete required compliance checks. The extension is crucial to avoid service disruptions for beneficiaries under Kenya's ongoing national health coverage initiative.
During the 14-day extension period, healthcare facilities will continue operating under their existing contracts. However, the SHA emphasized that these contracts will lapse at the end of the 14 days, and no further extensions will be granted. To stay operational under the health program during this transition period, healthcare providers are required to sign and return an interim contract extension agreement via the SHA e-contracting portal within three days.
The SHA has cautioned that existing contracts will strictly lapse once the October 14 deadline passes. Service provision to SHA beneficiaries will only continue in facilities that officially accept this 14-day extension period. For facilities that choose not to accept the extension or fail to finalize their contracts, the authority has instructed them to coordinate directly with their respective SHA county managers. This step is designed to facilitate the seamless transfer of patients receiving ongoing care to fully contracted facilities.
To assist healthcare providers in navigating the e-contracting platform and completing the necessary documentation, the SHA will conduct dedicated HAKIKA contracting clinics across the counties. These clinics, set to begin on October 5, 2026, will offer hands-on support to facility managers, resolving technical bottlenecks, validating credentials, and accelerating the registration process ahead of the mid-October deadline.
The contracting extension comes amid broader efforts by the health authority to stabilize service delivery across the country. SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi reassured the public that emergency medical care remains guaranteed for the first 24 hours at designated health facilities, even if a patient is not yet fully registered under the SHA system.
Healthcare providers have been encouraged not to wait until the final hours to complete the process, citing potential portal traffic and administrative delays. The SHA has urged providers to complete their contracting process as soon as possible, emphasizing that the deadline will not be extended further.
The extension and ongoing support measures are part of the SHA's efforts to ensure continuity of care and smooth implementation of Kenya's national health coverage initiative. By providing additional time and support, the authority aims to facilitate a seamless transition and maintain uninterrupted healthcare services for beneficiaries.
Key points
- The SHA has extended the healthcare contracting deadline to October 14, 2026.
- Existing contracts will lapse at the end of the 14-day extension period.
- The SHA will conduct HAKIKA contracting clinics to support healthcare providers in completing the contracting process.
