The country’s top labour union is demanding that Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA) be given full control of its IT systems, accusing the Ministry of Health of interfering with the body’s independence.
On Tuesday, Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K), said the current arrangement leaves SHA powerless and risks eroding public trust. “I am painfully unable to explain to workers what is happening at SHA,” Atwoli told reporters. “SHA is being used as a conveyor belt to process payments while it does not control the IT system designed to fix the very problems created by the defunct NHIF.”
At the centre of the dispute is the question of who manages SHA’s technology. Currently, the Ministry of Health and the Digital Health Authority oversee the systems that process claims and payments. COTU argues this setup strips SHA of its independence, even though the authority has its own board. “It is disturbing that despite SHA having an independent board, the Ministry of Health and DHA continue to treat it as secondary,” Atwoli said.
According to COTU, the lack of direct control means SHA cannot verify or authenticate claims. As a result, it is unfairly blamed for irregularities that should be attributed to the ministry or DHA. The union warned that the credibility of the health fund is at risk, saying workers contribute faithfully under the belief that SHA runs its own systems. “Unless SHA is given 100 percent control of its IT platform, workers will lose the faith and trust they have in the institution. This will affect compliance and service delivery,” Atwoli added.
COTU has threatened to withdraw from SHA’s board if its concerns are not addressed and has called a meeting at Tom Mboya Labour College to deliberate further.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dismissed the claims, accusing SHA critics of spreading “propaganda and blackmail” to sabotage reforms. His comments come as the authority faces growing scrutiny over alleged fraud. On Monday, SHA pulled down a public portal that allowed Kenyans to track payments to hospitals, a move that has only deepened criticism.
The clash highlights a growing standoff between the government and labour leaders over the future of public healthcare. With billions of shillings in claims under probe, both sides agree on one thing: the system needs urgent fixing.
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