Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has made a firm commitment to ensure that the Social Health Authority (SHA) will settle all hospital claims by the 14th day of every month, aiming to address the long-standing delays that have hampered the efficiency of the healthcare system. Speaking at the official handover ceremony at Afya House, Duale emphasized the urgency of solving human resource challenges within the sector and working closely with various stakeholders to find long-lasting solutions. He also expressed his dedication to improving the overall healthcare system and increasing efficiency across all levels of service delivery.
As part of his new role, Duale highlighted that SHA had already made significant strides in paying out claims, including a substantial sum of Sh24 billion. An additional Sh2.1 billion was allocated through the primary health care fund. This move has already facilitated the expansion of social health insurance access, benefiting millions of Kenyans. By March 2025, SHA had disbursed Sh25.4 billion to contracted health facilities. Of this amount, Sh22.2 billion came from the Social Health Insurance Fund, while Sh3.2 billion was provided through the Primary Healthcare Fund.
The new Health Cabinet Secretary also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the outgoing leadership, particularly Dr. Deborah Barasa, for their efforts in advancing the healthcare agenda. Duale reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that all Kenyans have access to affordable and quality healthcare, a right that is enshrined in the Constitution. He also revealed that, as of now, 20.8 million Kenyans have been successfully registered with SHA, along with an additional 5.7 million dependents. The registration figures show significant progress in expanding health coverage, with Mombasa, Bomet, Nyeri, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Kirinyaga counties leading the way.
Duale also discussed several initiatives aimed at addressing human resource challenges within the healthcare sector. These include the provision of over 100,000 medical kits, medicines, and supplies to more than 100,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who play a critical role in ensuring that health services reach remote areas. Additionally, smartphones have been distributed to CHPs to enhance service delivery, supported by the implementation of the Electronic Community Health Information System (e-CHIS).
Another area of focus for Duale is the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), which has been grappling with stockouts due to financial constraints. While acknowledging the current challenges, he assured the public that KEMSA is undergoing significant reforms aimed at improving the availability of health commodities. These reforms include efforts to recapitalize the organization and enhance its order fill rate, which currently stands at 43 percent.
As Duale settles into his new role, he also acknowledged the tremendous contributions made by the outgoing Health CS, Dr. Deborah Barasa. Barasa, who will now transition to the Ministry of Environment, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Kenya and highlighted key achievements during her tenure. These included the enactment of laws such as the Social Health Insurance Act and the Primary Health Act, both of which were instrumental in transitioning from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA. Under her leadership, SHA membership grew by 163 percent, covering 21 million Kenyans, compared to the 8 million previously covered by NHIF.
Barasa also pointed out the improvements made in local manufacturing, which now accounts for more than 60 percent of the medical products supplied to KEMSA. Additionally, she noted the progress made in infrastructure development, such as the ongoing construction of 19 Level-4 hospitals across the country, along with the establishment of cancer centers in multiple counties. These achievements underscore the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare access and address health challenges faced by Kenyans.
As she handed over the reins to Duale, Barasa expressed confidence that Kenya’s healthcare system would continue to improve and evolve. She extended her sincere gratitude to the Ministry’s dedicated team and healthcare workers, acknowledging their tireless efforts to improve the health and well-being of all Kenyans.
