- Author: Raymond
- Category: Medical Insurance in Kenya
What Does Maternity Insurance Cover in Kenya? (SHA/SHIF vs Private Medical Insurance 2025)
Pregnancy is one of life’s most beautiful seasons — but it also comes with medical bills that can pile up fast. Whether you rely on the Social Health Authority (SHA) / Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) or go for a Private Medical Insurance plan, knowing what’s covered makes all the difference.
1. Maternity Cover under SHA/SHIF (Public Cover)
Under Kenya’s new SHA/SHIF system, maternity and newborn care are officially part of the national benefit package.
Here’s what SHIF covers:
✅ Antenatal care (checkups, tests, scans, supplements)
✅ Delivery (normal and caesarean section)
✅ Midwifery & maternity ward stay (up to 48 hours for normal, 72 hours for C-section)
✅ Newborn care (Vitamin K, immunisation, warmth, resuscitation)
✅ Postnatal care & family planning services
✅ Emergency C-section procedures
✅ Blood transfusions and diagnostics where required
Limits:
- Normal delivery: Ksh 11,200
- Caesarean section: Ksh 32,600
- Short hospital stay (2–3 days)
Waiting period:
Officially, SHIF has no waiting period, but you must be registered and up-to-date with contributions to enjoy maternity benefits.
2. Maternity Cover under Private Medical Insurance
Private medical insurance goes beyond SHIF, offering wider hospital options and higher benefit limits — ideal if you prefer private facilities or specialised care.
Typical private maternity plans cover:
✅ Antenatal visits and routine lab tests
✅ Ultrasound scans
✅ Normal and Caesarean deliveries
✅ Complications of pregnancy & newborn care
✅ Postnatal care and medication
✅ Hospital stay, theatre, and doctor’s fees
Waiting period:
Most insurers in Kenya apply 9–12 months before maternity benefits become active — so you must get insured before pregnancy.
Extra benefits:
Some advanced plans include newborn baby cover for up to 30 days, and optional upgrades for fertility-related complications.
3. Why You Should Combine Both
- SHA/SHIF gives you the foundation (basic public cover).
- Private Insurance tops it up with broader benefits and private hospital access.
Together, they provide peace of mind before, during, and after childbirth.
Compare & Buy with Imana and MyKava
At Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd and MyKava Online Insurance Shop, we help you:
- Compare top maternity and family medical covers in Kenya
- Understand benefits and waiting periods
- Enroll easily online and get instant confirmation
- Save time and money by finding the right policy for your needs
📞 Call/WhatsApp: +254 796 209 402 || +254 745 218 460
📍 4th Floor, Krishna Centre, Woodvale Grove, Westlands – Nairobi
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