Duale defends SHA amid mounting pressure, fraud allegations by MPs

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has defended the Social Health Authority (SHA) and its digital systems, pushing back against criticism from a section of MPs.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Duale dismissed their claims as "misleading and factually inaccurate," asserting that the SHA represents a turning point in Kenya’s journey toward transparent and accountable healthcare.

“It is shocking and deeply concerning that Members of Parliament would question the very existence of an Authority established by a law they themselves passed. The legislative authority of the Republic lies with Parliament under Articles 93, 94, 95, and 96 of the Constitution,” Duale said.

He emphasised that SHA was legally established through the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, passed by Parliament and assented to by the President. The MPs’ criticism, he said, undermines their own constitutional role and confuses the public.

Responding to concerns over the cost of the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHITS), Duale clarified that it is a national ICT framework, integrating all health players. SHA’s ICT component, he added, is just one part of this broader infrastructure and focuses solely on health finance and insurance.

Duale argued that, unlike NHIF’s outdated systems, SHA is built for transparency and accountability. The old NHIF system, he said, was a hotbed of corruption, with multiple oversight bodies—including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Auditor-General—citing it as deeply flawed.

“To suggest we revert to that system is not merely misguided; it is a direct advocacy for a return to the looting of public funds,” he stated.

“This is not a heist; it is a revolution in accountability.”

Duale rejected claims that the SHA is corrupt, arguing that the very fraud MPs accuse it of is being exposed by the system itself.

He pointed to the rejection of Sh10.6 billion in fraudulent claims as proof that SHA works.

“The so-called ‘rot’ is, in fact, what SHA itself has proactively detected and made public,” he noted. “This is a final warning to any facility, doctor, or patient engaged in fraud: you will face the full force of the law.”

Duale denied allegations that he or the SHA Board Chair have ties to any health facilities flagged by the system. He challenged any MP to provide a CR12 document showing he owns or directs any company involved.

He also criticised efforts to politicise or tribalise the SHA leadership and called such moves dangerous and misleading.

Duale defended the use of means testing as a globally accepted way to assess income for fair premium contributions. Since October 2024, over 6.4 million Kenyans have been assessed, with more than 20,000 tests done daily.

On NHIF arrears and prepayments, he maintained that facilities flagged by the SHA system are simply being held accountable for non-compliance.

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• Social Health Authority
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• Health CS Aden Duale
• SHA fraud
• Duale defends SHA amid mounting pressure
• fraud allegations by MPs

Duale stated that his integrity and asset declarations are publicly available in the Hansard. He challenged anyone to produce evidence linking him to the company in question, asserting he holds no ownership or directorship. He expressed readiness to appear before any oversight body to account for his assets.

On Wednesday, MPs from the Kenya Moja caucus demanded the resignation of Duale, SHA Chair Mohamed Abdi, and CEO Mercy Mwangangi over what they called a multi-billion shilling scam under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The MPs accused the officials of enabling fraud through ghost hospitals, irregular claims, and conflicts of interest.