NAIROBI — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has pressed the Social Health Authority (SHA) Board to enforce strict accountability measures as Kenya expands its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program. The call comes as more than 22 million Kenyans have registered for healthcare under the government’s new Taifa Care plan.
Speaking during a board meeting at SHA headquarters in Nairobi, Duale urged SHA leadership to remain focused on financial integrity, timely claim payments, and active fraud prevention. He stressed that the program’s success depends on principled oversight.
“Every decision made here will affect the lives of ordinary Kenyans from a pregnant woman in Migori to a cancer patient in Nyeri,” Duale said. “We must uphold transparency, protect public funds, and ensure no Kenyan is denied care due to mismanagement.”
Joined by Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth, Duale outlined three priorities for the SHA board:
Adherence to a 5% cap on administrative expenses
Implementation of firm auditing systems
Leadership to guide SHA’s transition into a fully digital health infrastructure
SHA, now undergoing structural reforms, is tasked with managing the national health fund that supports Taifa Care. The digital overhaul aims to streamline access and speed up reimbursement to service providers.
“Fraud is the biggest threat to this system,” Duale warned. “Our duty is to build a health framework that earns and keeps public trust.”
SHA Board Chairperson Dr. Abdi Mohamed and SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi also attended the session. Mwangangi confirmed that SHA had already crossed the 22 million mark in citizen enrollment, signaling steady progress toward national health inclusion.
Duale also urged the board to secure stable revenue flows to keep the program running, even in times of economic strain. “Timely payments are essential to maintaining service delivery. People cannot wait for bureaucracy while in pain,” he said.
The meeting took place as the government accelerates rollout of its Digital Health Transformation plan, part of a larger vision to connect health data systems nationwide for faster, evidence-based care.
In addition to addressing health governance, Duale also spoke in Kajiado about political tension across the country, accusing opposition leaders of exploiting ongoing Gen Z-led protests to push for power outside of democratic channels.
“President Ruto was elected. There will be no shortcuts to leadership except through the ballot,” he told attendees. “We must protect lives and property, and security forces will act within the law to do so.”
He also appealed to the Kikuyu and Somali communities to support unity efforts, calling them key players in national cohesion.
The SHA board is expected to meet again later this month to evaluate the implementation of the digital reforms and report on fraud oversight structures now being set up.
