The Social Health Authority (SHA) has rolled out biometric fingerprint verification for children aged 7-17 to prevent fraud in Kenya's public health insurance system.

This initiative, part of broader reforms under the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, requires healthcare providers to capture fingerprints at contracted facilities whenever eligible children receive treatment.Parents or guardians must consent to the process, ensuring transparency.Where fingerprint capture isn't possible, healthcare workers will use contributor IDs and one-time passwords (OTPs) as alternatives.SHA emphasized strict data protection under the 2019 Data Protection Act, ensuring secure handling of personal information.The move aims to eliminate impersonation, reduce fraudulent claims, and improve accountability in healthcare delivery.By integrating digital verification, SHA strengthens beneficiary management and safeguards public resources.This marks a significant step in modernizing Kenya's health insurance framework, aligning with global trends in digital identity verification.The policy reflects the government's commitment to transparency and efficiency in public services.