Kenya’s healthcare system is undergoing a significant digital transformation with the implementation of a new biometric identification system in 2025. The system will replace current One-Time Password (OTP) verification methods for Social Health Authority (SHA) approvals, marking a shift toward more advanced identity verification in healthcare services. The initiative supports Kenya’s ongoing efforts to modernize its national digital identity infrastructure, which President William Ruto has been actively promoting as part of the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The initiative requires all Level 4, 5, and 6 health facilities to use either biometric health IDs or the newly launched Practice 360 app for SHA approvals. The mandatory transition will completely phase out the existing OTP-based authorization system, which has been vulnerable to security risks and inefficiencies common to SMS-based verification methods.
“This biometric system will be a game-changer in our healthcare sector,” said Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, pointing to benefits including fraud reduction, decreased paperwork, shorter queues, and increased time for direct patient care.
The healthcare biometric system represents part of Kenya’s broader modernization of identity verification processes. The effort includes parallel initiatives such as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s planned transition from voter cards to biometric verification using national identity cards or passports for the 2027 elections. The move follows a regional trend of digital identity adoption in healthcare, as several African nations work with United Nations-led initiatives to implement comprehensive digital identification systems.
The new system aims to enhance both security and efficiency in health service delivery by creating a direct link between approvals and verified individual identities. The Practice 360 app serves as a complementary digital platform, providing healthcare workers with tools for streamlined approval management. The dual approach of biometric verification and mobile application support represents a comprehensive strategy to modernize healthcare authentication while maintaining accessibility for both providers and patients.
Sources: Eastleigh Voice, Instagram, Hivisasa Africa
