Dr. Mercy Mwangangi has officially taken over as the Chief Executive Officer of the Social Health Authority (SHA), promising a new era of transparency, efficiency, and public engagement. She succeeds Dr. Robert Ingasira, who had been serving in an acting capacity amid a turbulent period for the authority.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Dr. Mwangangi laid out her strategic vision for SHA, vowing to restore public trust through enhanced transparency and accountability. “We must show Kenyans exactly how their contributions to SHA translate into improved health services,” she asserted. She emphasized that the authority will begin issuing comprehensive performance reports, detailing how health outcomes are being improved through public funds.
One of her primary goals is to strengthen primary healthcare services, a critical area she believes can significantly ease the burden on secondary and tertiary care facilities. Dr. Mwangangi also committed to improving communication with the public, noting that many Kenyans remain unaware of the health benefits they are entitled to under SHA.
“Engagement with Kenyans is critical,” she said. “We must listen to their concerns and address the perception that their voices have been ignored.”
Her appointment comes at a time when SHA is grappling with significant operational hurdles, including frequent system downtimes, delays in claims processing, and financial constraints. These issues have undermined the public’s confidence in the authority and hindered access to essential healthcare services.
Dr. Mwangangi’s entry into the role signals a potential turning point. Her experience as a former Health Chief Administrative Secretary and her vocal advocacy for public health reforms are seen as key assets in steering SHA towards more effective service delivery.
Her leadership will be closely watched as she takes on the enormous task of transforming SHA into a transparent, responsive, and efficient public institution. For many Kenyans, especially those dependent on public health systems, her success could mean better access to care and improved health outcomes.
