Duale explains reason behind sharp drop in health system fraud
By Emmanuel Rono, April 22, 2026Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced a reduction in fraud within the Ministry of Health, revealing that the rate has dropped from 26 per cent to below 6 per cent since he took office in 2025.
Appearing on the floor of the Senate on April 22, 2026, Duale attributed the decline to a series of measures implemented to seal loopholes and enhance accountability within the system.
He said the reforms were aimed at restoring integrity and improving service delivery.
“Since April last year, when I went to that ministry, it was at 26 per cent. Now I want to confirm to the country because of the actions we have taken, we are now below 6 per cent,” Duale said.
Counties flagged
Duale said the ministry has closed over 1,200 health facilities found to be involved in fraudulent activities.
“We have closed over 1,200 facilities. The DPP has received over 24 files of which I think 18 of them, including two former CEOs of SHA and NHIF have been removed and many staff of NHIF, SHA and even the regulatory bodies like KMPDC who registers,” Duale said.
The cabinet secretary further named Mandera, Kisii, Migori, Homa Bay, and Wajir as the five counties identified as the epicenters of healthcare fraud.
He noted that the majority of these illegal activities are occurring within private health facilities, which have frequently targeted funds set aside for specific groups, such as teachers.
“We will not relent on fraud. We have flagged out five counties as the epicentre of the fraud, and those counties are Mandera, Kisii, Migori, Home Bay and Wajir, and we will not relent on it. I’m talking of not the county alone. I’m talking of all the facilities majority of the fraud is taking place in the private health facilities,” Duale said.
Gachagua attack on Duale
The disagreement with Duale escalated after he, while addressing congregants at the ACK Diocese of Kirinyaga in Ndia Constituency on Sunday, March 29, 2026, warned that the SHA risks collapsing within six months.
He said faith-based and other hospitals are owed about Ksh90 billion and urged medical facilities to demand upfront payments or immediate settlement before offering further services.
He recently called on teachers to demand an immediate exit from the Social Health Authority (SHA), warning that the current medical scheme is failing to meet their needs.
“Many teachers have talked to me. I encourage them to demand from the union leaders the immediate exit from SHA, and they go back to a private insurance that can take care of our teachers, our professionals, very important people,” he said.