Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has strongly criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over what he describes as a scandalous enterprise involving the Social Health Insurance (SHA) Fund, highlighting the continued struggle of St Mary’s Hospital in accessing due payments.

“We welcomed the visit by CS Aden Duale to St Mary’s Hospital, hoping for the immediate reopening of our iconic hospital, all in vain. Instead, we witnessed the drama of parading our Bishop at a presser dwelling on the disputed quantum of payments & pending bills,” Khalwale stated in a post on X on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

The Kakamega Senator expressed frustration over the apparent preference of the SHA administration to prioritise other facilities, pointing to substantial payments already made elsewhere.

“Having smoothly paid a whopping Ksh 295 million to a nondescript facility in Pangani, the CS, the SHA chairman & the SHA CEO are inexcusably implicit in a scandalous enterprise of monumental proportions,” he said.

Khalwale emphasised that any outstanding payments owed to a hospital in Kakamega, which he said is choking operations, must be cleared without further delay.

“Duale, any money, big or small, due to the hospital, which is choking operations, must be paid in full,” he added.

The lawmaker’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the implementation and oversight of the SHA Fund, with hospitals across the country raising issues about delayed disbursements and the criteria used for accreditation and payments.

Khalwale’s sharp criticism highlights a broader public debate on transparency and accountability in the health sector, particularly regarding the use of funds meant to support healthcare access for ordinary citizens.

In concluding his statement, Khalwale issued a pointed warning to the authorities involved, signalling public accountability.

“Kwendeni huko!” he said, a call for the SHA leadership to reconsider its actions and prioritise hospitals genuinely in need of support.

The standoff between the Hospital and the SHA leadership highlights the ongoing tension between government health officials and healthcare institutions, with patients and staff caught in the middle as funding delays continue to impact services.