Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has launched a scathing attack on the viability of the Social Health Authority (SHA), claiming massive underfunding.

Speaking during a charged “Linda Mwananchi” rally in Luanda, Vihiga County, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, Omondi warned Kenyan teachers not to trust assurances that the system will deliver quality healthcare benefits.

He claimed that the SHA framework is financially unsustainable, alleging a funding shortfall of Ksh75 billion and accusing unnamed actors of inflating projected implementation costs.

He further told teachers that expectations being set around the new healthcare system were misleading, arguing that promised benefits such as guaranteed access to medicines in hospitals would not materialise under the current structure.

“Walimu wanadanganywa ati SHA utafanya kazi. Nataka kuambia walimu wa Kenya kwamba SHA haiwezi fanya kazi,” Omondi said.

SHA underfunding

He went on to allege that the programme had been severely underfunded compared to its estimated operational requirements, claiming that only a fraction of the required budget had been allocated.

“The SHA programme is underfunded by Ksh75 billion. Hiyo ndio ilikuwa inatakikana waweke ndani ya SHA na walieka tu Ksh6 billion na wakafanya ukora wakasema system ya SHA itagharimu Ksh104 billion. Niliona walimu wakieka mkataba ati wakienda hospitali watapata dawa. Hawatapata,” he added.

Duale’s assurance to teachers

Omondi’s remarks come just a day after the government issued a stern warning to healthcare facilities across the country, cautioning against illegal charges imposed on teachers seeking treatment under the SHA scheme.

Taking to his official X account on Friday, April 24, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said any facility found demanding co-payments or charging for services already covered under SHA will face immediate suspension.

Duale emphasised that such practices are a direct violation of contractual agreements between the government and healthcare providers and undermine efforts to deliver affordable and accessible healthcare to teachers.

“The Ministry of Health cautions all contracted healthcare facilities against charging teachers or demanding co-payments for services covered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), as this violates their contractual obligations. Any facility found engaging in such practices risks immediate suspension,” Duale stated.