Health CS Aden Duale during a meeting on August 27, 2025 / ADEN DUALE X
Health CS Aden Duale has defended the Social Health Authority (SHA) against claims made by a section of Members of Parliament.
Duale dismissed the MPs’ concerns over the legality, cost, and transparency of SHA operations, describing them as misleading claims and factual inaccuracies.
In a statement on Wednesday, the CS accused them of peddling misinformation and seeking to derail reforms in the health sector.
“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. SHA was created under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, which was debated, passed, and signed into law,” he said.
“The role of Parliament is to make law. The role of the Executive, which I lead in the health sector, is to implement those laws. The establishment and operationalization of SHA is a direct implementation of the will of the people of Kenya, as expressed through their elected representatives in Parliament. To now disavow this process is to disavow their own legislative mandate.”
Duale defended the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHITS), which links key health players, including SHA, KEMSA, and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
He said the SHA ICT system is essential in managing contributions, claims, and fraud detection.
Duale contrasted the new system with the defunct NHIF, which he described as an infamous haven for corruption, fraud, and abuse.
Citing parliamentary reports, EACC findings, and Auditor-General reviews, he said NHIF had been the epicenter of fraud plagued by weak security, outdated technology, and opaque payment systems.
“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. This is not a heist; it is a revolution in accountability,” he said.
On allegations of conflict of interest, Duale challenged his critics to provide evidence.
“I challenge any individual to present a CR12 document from the registrar of companies that shows my ownership or directorship in the company alleged. I have none. I am ready and willing to present myself before any parliamentary committee or oversight body to account for every asset I own,” he said.
“To weed out deep-rooted fraud within our health insurances, we urge all Kenyans to allow us to cleanup, prosecute and surcharge those found culpable without interference from anybody or any office including my former colleagues, some of whom own facilities that have been flagged through our System.”
On fraud detection, Duale revealed that SHA has contracted over 11,000 health facilities saying the system had rejected claims worth Sh10.6 billion.
“The Sh10.6 billion in rejected claims is not a failure of the system; it is proof of its success,” he stated.
Duale maintained that means testing was working effectively, with over 6.4 million Kenyans assessed since October 2024.
He dismissed complaints over flagged prepayments and NHIF arrears, accusing some MPs of acting as facility owners with pending bills.
“The Ministry of Health is no longer a playground for corruption. It is a battlefield for reforms and the delivery of quality healthcare for all Kenyans,” he added.
Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage under Taifa Care.
“We will not be derailed by misinformation, vested interests, or political theatrics. We call on all Kenyans to stand with us as we cleanse the system,” he said.
The legislators raised concerns over SHA’s rising pending bills, noting that hospitals are still awaiting payment for services rendered under the scheme.
They signalled plans to raise the matter formally in Parliament when it resumes and to summon the CS to explain what they termed challenges affecting the new health insurance programme.
