The Social Health Authority (SHA) has introduced a one-month grace period for healthcare providers missing selected compliance documents as it seeks to facilitate their contracting and onboarding. However, providers must still meet all other mandatory requirements to qualify for contracts.
In a notice dated October 7, 2026, SHA said the moratorium takes immediate effect and will run until November 4, 2026. It covers five documents, including the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) certificate, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) licence and Fire Safety Compliance Certificate.
The other documents covered are the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Compliance Certificate and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) certificates for data processors and data controllers.
SHA said the temporary relief would allow eligible healthcare providers to proceed with the contracting process as they work to obtain the outstanding documents.
“The moratorium does not waive the requirement to obtain the outstanding mandatory documents,” the notice stated.
The authority has also clarified that other essential documents remain compulsory.
These include the SHA Compliance Certificate and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Tax Compliance Certificate, which are not covered by the moratorium.
During electronic contracting, healthcare providers must indicate whether each of the five documents is available or unavailable. They must also upload all documents they already have.
Providers who meet all other mandatory requirements but lack one or more of the documents covered by the moratorium may receive conditional contracts. However, these contracts will only remain valid until November 4, 2026, when all outstanding documents must have been submitted.
On the other hand, healthcare providers who have all the required documents and meet the other contracting conditions will qualify for three-year contracts.
The notice was signed by SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi, who urged healthcare providers to use the extension to complete their documentation.
The moratorium provides temporary relief for facilities seeking to join the SHA network, but it does not remove their obligation to meet the authority’s compliance requirements.