Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has sounded a stern warning to private hospitals and chemists operating illegally or fraudulently under the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).
He cautioned that such facilities face immediate closure and subsequent legal action.
Speaking in Voi during the official launch of the SHA and Digital Health Transformation in Taita Taveta County, Duale revealed that the Ministry had already shut down 1,200 private hospitals across the country.
He said that these facilities were opened not to serve public health needs but to loot from SHA through fraudulent claims and illegal operations.
“Some treat patients as outpatients but file claims as if they were inpatients to get higher payouts,” Duale disclosed, adding that “If any facility is found doing this, we will deregister it. And for doctors misusing their authorisation PINs, they will not only lose their licenses but also face jail.”
He also cited a scenario where a doctor’s credentials show treatment in one county, while they are registered in another area, as an example of malpractice that will not be tolerated.
“If you’re supposed to treat in Voi, but your pin is seen in Mombasa, you’ll face consequences,” he warned.
Duale, known for his blunt approach, further declared that whether a facility is owned by a politician or a well-connected individual, he will not hesitate to shut it down if it’s found defrauding the health system.
“I am ready to do whatever it takes to protect the healthcare of the people of Kenya. It will not be business as usual,” he firmly stated.
The CS urged the public to report suspicious hospitals and chemists, revealing that inspection teams from the Ministry would be deployed next week to Taita Taveta to begin a crackdown on illegal health outlets.
Facilities admitting more patients than their bed capacities were also warned.
The CS said, “Hospitals should not admit more than the number of beds they have. If you have 20 beds, admit 20 patients only,” he stressed, adding that “We must protect the dignity and safety of our citizens in accessing healthcare.”
Turning to SHA registration, Duale said the country had recorded notable progress, with 24.4 million Kenyans already registered voluntarily.
In Taita Taveta, 159,000 residents have signed up for SHA, ranking the county 12th nationally and third in the Coast region, behind Mombasa and Lamu.
Duale emphasised that the registration drive was being conducted fairly and without coercion.
To make it even easier, the Ministry had launched a USSD code (*147#) allowing Kenyans to register with just a few taps on their phones.
“Unlike NHIF, which mainly served salaried Kenyans who were just 20 per cent of the population, SHA is for all, including the unemployed, the poor, and the informal sector. No one is left behind,” Duale said.
He added that since SHA’s implementation, Taita Taveta County alone had received Sh165 million from SHA claims, strengthening its health delivery capacity.
Duale reiterated that primary healthcare services offered at public health centres and sub-county hospitals are now free to all registered under SHA.
“No one should be forced to pay,” he affirmed, clarifying that fees only apply to high-level treatment and only for those who have paid premiums.
He dismissed claims that Kenyans are being forced to pay large amounts at once for insurance, stating that payments can be made daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, based on individual convenience.
At the same time, women registered under SHA are entitled to Sh 30,000 for Caesarean delivery services, as part of a broader plan to reduce maternal mortality.
This financial year alone, the government has set aside Sh13 billion for primary healthcare, which covers services at dispensaries, health centres, and sub-county hospitals.
Duale also announced the deployment of 51 intern health practitioners to Taita Taveta, comprising six medical doctors, nine clinical officers, and 36 nurses who will be fully paid by the government for one year.
This is part of the national pool of 6,000 interns intended to strengthen service delivery across counties.
The CS applauded Taita Taveta’s strides in the health sector, noting that the county ranks highly in key health indicators, adding that, of the 75 public health facilities in the county, only four are yet to be registered under SHA.
To further support SHA uptake, Duale urged the county to establish a dedicated SHA desk in the health facilities in the county to ensure more residents are enrolled and benefit from the reforms.
Duale reflected on the country’s journey towards achieving universal healthcare, saying past regimes under Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta made attempts, but the full rollout never materialised.
“This programme was tried in Kisumu, Isiolo, Nyeri and Machakos counties but didn’t go through. The difference this time is political will. President Dr. William Ruto has ensured it works for every Kenyan,” he said.
Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, who co-hosted the event, expressed his full support for SHA and digital transformation in the health sector.
“As a county, we are ready to align with the national government to achieve universal healthcare,” he said.
SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi and Digital Health Authority acting CEO Eng. Anthony Lenaiyara, also present, echoed the call for vigilance, integrity and technology-driven service in health delivery.
Meanwhile, as SHA gains traction across the country, the Ministry of Health remains committed to its work, pointing out that it will not tolerate corruption or any form of malpractice in healthcare.
Citizens are being empowered with access to services and facilities; those who defraud the system will face swift justice.
By Arnold Linga Masila
