Ombudsman asks SHA to respond to query on Sh7.3bn disbursements to hospitals
Under the Access to Information Act 2016, there is no requirement for an applicant to justify why they need specific information from a public entity.
The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) – also known as the Office of the Ombudsman – has given the Social Health Authority (SHA) CEO Robert Ingasira seven days to respond to queries on information concerning Sh7.3 billion disbursements to hospitals.
The commission issued the directive after a Kenyan, Collins Omollo, applied for review, citing SHA's failure to provide the requested information within the statutory timelines outlined in the Access to Information Act, 2016.
More To Read
- Clinical officers’ union boss claims cartels in defunct NHIF now sabotaging SHA implementation
- Report says patient verification woes in hospitals deepen under SHA system
- Unresolved SHIF challenges leave Kenyans frustrated as system failures hinder access to healthcare services
- Health Ministry blames Sh43 billion NHIF debt for disruption of services in public, private hospitals
"The information request stems from a letter dated January 2, 2025, in which SHA confirmed disbursing a total of Sh7.3 billion to 5,000 health facilities between October 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024," noted the commission.
According to the Ombudsman, Sh1.3 billion came from the Primary Healthcare Fund while Sh6 billion was drawn from the Social Health Insurance Fund.
"The funds were intended to support 5000 health facilities across the country between 1st October 2024 and 31st December 2024," stated the commission.
Omollo raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the allocation process, seeking a full list of all health facilities that received funding, along with the specific amounts allocated to each and the criteria used in the disbursement.
He also requested a breakdown of SHA's revenue collections from October to December 2024, specifying contributions from both the formal and informal sectors.
Under the Access to Information Act of 2016, there is no requirement for an applicant to justify why they need specific information from a public entity.
"Despite the legal requirement to process such requests within twenty-one days, SHA did not provide the requested information, prompting Mr Omollo to escalate the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman," the commission said.
In response, CAJ issued a directive invoking Section 22(3) of the Access to Information Act, 2016. A letter dated February 13, 2025 was sent to SHA instructing the health agency to submit an institutional report within seven days.
"The commission notes that the statutory timelines to process the request for information under Section 9(1) have since lapsed. Therefore, the Commission requests your institutional report within seven days to allow for an appropriate decision on the application," said the CAJ.
Top Stories Today
