Speaking during a Wednesday interview with a local station, Duale argued that the new authority’s effectiveness is being overshadowed by sensational media coverage that focuses on teething problems rather than concrete achievements in protecting public funds.

“Screaming headlines sell; if you say SHA is working, it will not sell, but screaming headlines will get out of the shell,” the CS said, adding that the detection and rejection of billions in questionable claims demonstrates the system is functioning as designed.

According to Duale, the bulk of the rejected claims emerged during the critical transition phase from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA—a period that demanded heightened vigilance and robust verification mechanisms.

The CS disclosed that most flagged claims originated from health facilities and were subjected to rigorous multi-stage scrutiny before being declined.

“Facilities made claims amounting to about Sh11 billion. Most of these were fraudulent claims. The system picked them up, went through different validation and clinical reviews, and we are not paying,” Duale explained.

He emphasized that each claim undergoes automated validation, clinical reviews, and additional system checks to ensure compliance with established standards before any payment is authorized.

The Health CS issued a stern warning to facilities attempting to exploit the health insurance system, stressing that every shilling contributed by Kenyans is now under strict surveillance.

“Every coin that a Kenyan has paid for health care insurance, if it is stolen, the system will detect it, flag it, and the government will prosecute,” Duale stated firmly.

On Sunday, the CS had outlined the rigorous due diligence processes now mandatory for all claims, including forensic audits and clinical reviews to verify that billed services were actually delivered to patients.

“We will only pay after we do due diligence. SHA will conduct forensic audits and clinical reviews to make sure that the services offered are appropriate and that the Kenyan patient has actually received them,” he said.

While Duale celebrates the fraud detection success, some hospitals have raised concerns about delayed payments, arguing that the enhanced scrutiny is affecting their cash flow and operations.

The CS, however, maintained that facilities complaining loudest are primarily those whose claims remain under verification due to red flags raised during the review process.

He insisted the government is operating within legal parameters and that the thorough vetting is essential to safeguarding the integrity of Kenya’s health insurance system and protecting contributors’ funds from exploitation.

Duale’s remarks signal the government’s determination to ensure SHA operates with greater accountability than its predecessor, even as stakeholders navigate the challenges of implementing sweeping health sector reforms.

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In a statement released on Saturday, December 13, SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, CBS, said the appointments follow a competitive and transparent recruitment process that began on July 29, 2025.

“The appointment of these officers is critical in supporting the Authority’s mandate as we continue to implement health reforms and ensure efficient delivery of services to Kenyans,” Dr. Mwangangi said.

The newly appointed officers will serve in strategic roles across SHA departments, including Human Resource Management and Development, Customer Experience, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Corporate Communication, Provider Management, Internal Audit, Records Management, Registration and Compliance, and Claims Management (County Operations).

The Authority highlighted that the appointments reflect a commitment to professionalism and excellence in service delivery, and that the officers will play a key role in advancing SHA’s flagship programs such as Bima Bora and Afya Nyumbani.

“We take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to the dedicated staff for their unwavering support and commitment to the interim staff throughout this critical transition period,” Dr. Mwangangi added.

The list of officers appointed includes Susan Wanjiku O. Kafuto, Julius M. Mwanzia, Christine Mwende Muli, Martin Mbai Omukongolo, Florence Chepngetich, Jacob Mutua Kilungya, Brian Oketch, Beatrice Chemutai, Tom Obara Oboko, Mathew Mnene Gamaliel, Belinda Nzula Naikuni, Annastacia Nzovo, Lily Kimetto, Said Ibrahim Mohamed, Winfred Wandii Mulli, among others.

The appointments span both headquarters and county operations, ensuring that the Authority’s programs are effectively coordinated across Kenya.

The new leadership team is expected to focus on enhancing customer experience, streamlining operations, ensuring compliance, improving ICT systems, and reinforcing corporate communication strategies.

Dr. Mwangangi emphasized that this restructuring is aligned with SHA’s broader goal of expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare for all citizens.

“These appointments mark an important milestone in our efforts to strengthen the operational capacity of SHA and improve service delivery across the country,” the CEO noted.

The appointments also signify SHA’s continued commitment to competent and accountable leadership, reinforcing transparency and fairness in recruitment processes within the public health sector.

With the deployment of these principal officers, the SHA aims to ensure that its programs, including Bima Bora, the national health insurance initiative, and Afya Nyumbani, which brings healthcare services to households, are effectively managed and accessible to all Kenyans.

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Speaking during his state address on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, President Ruto revealed that over 27 million Kenyans are now registered, with daily enrollments exceeding 30,000.

“The Health Authority is now the engine of universal health coverage. More than 27 million Kenyans have registered with daily enrollment exceeding 30,000,” he said.

President Ruto explained that SHA brings together several critical components of the health ecosystem, including the Primary Health Care Fund, the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, and the Contributory Social Health Insurance Fund.

“SHAR brings together the Primary Health Care Fund, Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund and the Contributory Social Health Insurance Fund, including what we have brought together under the health ecosystem, including one piece of legislation that we are still waiting for passage in Parliament,” he noted.

In terms of funding, the President highlighted government allocations for the current financial year: Ksh 13 billion to the Primary Health Fund and Ksh 8 billion to the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, supplemented by county revenues and other sources.

“In the current financial year, we have allocated 13 billion shillings to the Primary Health Fund and 8 billion shillings to the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, supplemented by county revenues and other sources,” he said.

He also emphasized efforts to improve access to safe and affordable medical products through reforms at the Kenya Medical Supply Authority (KEMSA), now repositioned as the National Procurement, Warehousing and Distribution Agency.

“We have allocated 1.5 billion shillings to capitalise KEMSA and established a Kenya shillings 10 billion line of credit, targeting a 90% order fill rate and reliable availability of essential medicines and commodities nationwide by the end of this year,” President Ruto explained.

The President praised county governments and highlighted the role of legislation in solidifying reforms:

“To solidify reforms, we enacted four transformative pieces of legislation and I am very proud that this is giving us a very sound footing on how to deliver universal health. I am confident that they will continue in that spirit as the quality of care and patient safety bill is now under consideration in Parliament.”

President Ruto emphasized that primary health services in all SHA-accredited facilities, including public, private, and faith-based institutions, are now funded by the Government of Kenya, underscoring strong partnerships, especially with the World Health Organization (WHO), as critical to the country’s health agenda.

“With strong partnerships, especially with WHO, Kenya is firmly on the path to achieving universal health coverage. Professor Janabi, once again, and your team at WHO, I thank you for your partnership and steadfast commitment to health of not just Kenya, but also our region,” he said.

President Ruto concluded that with SHA at the helm, Universal Health Coverage is now a reality for more Kenyans than ever, signaling a new era of accessible, quality healthcare across the country.

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Speaking during a Sunday service at St Mary’s African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) Kathelwa in Igembe Central, Meru County, Dr Ruto encouraged young people to take charge of their destiny through the ballot, but warned them against falling prey to divisive and unproductive politics.

“Our young people must register as voters so that they can influence the leadership and the future of this country,” Ruto said.

“But be vigilant against politicians who want to engage you in endless, unhelpful politics.”

The Head of State on Sunday noted that the next polls are still two years away, and his administration remains focused on delivering services and transforming lives rather than politicking.

“The elections are in 2027, not now,” he said.

“We will be elected based on the work we will have done. No one will be elected based on how they look, their faith, or the community they come from.”

Ruto, who was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi, and several MPs and MCAs, said the government will continue implementing policies and projects that improve livelihoods across the country.

The President took a swipe at his political rivals, accusing them of misleading Kenyans with “empty rhetoric and sloganeering” instead of offering tangible solutions to the country’s challenges.

“When you listen to them, they do not speak about development. Our country has been left behind because of leaders who have specialised in empty rhetoric,” he said.

He called on both leaders and citizens to shun divisive and retrogressive politics marked by tribalism, hatred, and the blind pursuit of power.

“We must rise above politics of hatred, division and short-sightedness. Leadership should be about service and development, not just power for the sake of it,” Ruto said.

Ruto said that in the past three years, his administration has laid a strong foundation for the country’s transformation and is now focused on completing major projects.

He highlighted the creation of the Infrastructure Fund, which he said will support the construction of up to 30 mega dams and the generation of at least 10,000 megawatts of energy from diverse sources including wind, solar, hydro and nuclear.

On health, Ruto continued to push for the registration of Kenyans under the Social Health Authority (SHA), assuring that registered members will access free outpatient services in public, private and faith-based facilities.

“If you are seeking outpatient services and someone asks you for money, tell them the government has already paid for the services and call the police,” the President stated.

In Meru County, the President announced a series of development initiatives, including a Sh7 billion redesign and reconstruction of the Nithi Bridge, which has claimed many lives over the past two decades.

“We want to straighten Nithi Bridge so that it stops being a trap where citizens lose lives,” Ruto said.

He added that the government has allocated Sh2 billion to connect 26,000 households in Meru to electricity and Sh11 billion for affordable housing, fresh produce markets, and student hostels. An additional Sh12 billion will be set aside for the same initiatives.

“Apart from building affordable housing and 17 modern markets, we are also putting up hostels for 6,000 students in Meru County,” the President said.

Ruto also revealed that Sh1 billion will be used to upgrade Meru County Referral Hospital to a Level 6 national referral facility.

“We want to ensure residents do not travel to Nairobi in search of quality treatment; it will be available locally,” he added.

DP Kindiki said Mt Kenya and the rest of the country are united in supporting President Ruto’s national transformation agenda and will evaluate his performance based on development results.

“Forget the naysayers who have been selling fear, division and ethnicity,” Kindiki said. “We will give Dr Ruto a second term based on his record.”

Governor Mutuma echoed the call for youth voter registration and encouraged residents to enroll under the SHA to enjoy government-funded health services.

“I appeal to all who have not registered with SHA to register so that we can all have a medical cover,” Mutuma said.

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