The Ministry of Health has refuted allegations by the Murang’a governor Irungu Kang’ata that it switched off the county’s Afya Ke digital health system, stating that it neither owns, controls, nor manages the platform.
In a statement addressing what it described as misleading claims, the Ministry clarified that the Afya Ke system is a private arrangement between the Murang’a County Government and its developers and that the Ministry does not possess the system’s source code – contradicting the Governor’s allegations.
“The Ministry of Health has not switched off the Afya Ke system,” the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health, Aden Duale, reaffirmed in the statement, adding that the claims had the potential to misinform the public and cause unnecessary concern among residents and healthcare stakeholders.
Duale also addressed suggestions that the Digital Health Agency (DHA) had refused to certify the Afya Ke system, which, according to the Ministry, is inaccurate since no application for certification has ever been made.
“Neither the Afya Ke developers nor Murang’a County has applied for certification,” he reiterated, implying that the system’s status rests with the county and its developers rather than the national regulator.
Importantly, the Ministry urged the Governor to refrain from making statements that could mislead the public on matters touching on healthcare service delivery.
Seeking to reassure residents, the Ministry confirmed that all Social Health Authority (SHA) beneficiaries in Murang’a will continue to access healthcare services without interruption through the established SHA systems.
“This means that, regardless of the dispute over the Afya Ke platform, services under the national health insurance framework remain unaffected,” assured the CS.
Further, the Ministry reiterated its commitment to supporting Murang’a County in advancing its digital health agenda, noting that it extends similar support to county governments across the country. It also reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring continuity of healthcare services and the effective implementation of digital health systems nationwide.
Meanwhile, the exchange highlights ongoing tensions between national and county governments over digital health infrastructure and regulatory oversight. While the governor’s office has raised concerns about the system’s status, the ministry maintains that the matter lies outside its direct control.
For now, residents of Murang’a can expect continued access to SHA-funded healthcare services, while the question of the Afya Ke system’s certification remains dependent on an application that is yet to be submitted by the county or its developers.
By Michael Omondi
