Duale sets the record straight on Ksh11B SHA scandal
By Aloys Michael, February 27, 2026The government has dismissed claims of a Ksh11 billion loss through the digital system running the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“Speakers and senators, we must confront the narrative of the alleged loss of Ksh11 billion, and today I want to set the record straight. I want to categorically state that there is no loss of the Ksh11 billion in SHA,” Duale said.
Duale clarified that the amount, which now stands at Ksh12.7 billion, represents claims that were flagged, rejected, or left unpaid by SHA’s enhanced digital verification system.
“This figure currently stands at Ksh12.7 billion as of today, representing the claims that were flagged, that we rejected, and the claims that were unpaid by our digital superhighway gatekeeper,” he added.
During the forum, the CS argued that under the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) manual processing system, such claims could have been approved and paid out.
Amid the pressure, the CS pledged to present detailed data to senators showing how much of the rejected Ksh12.7 billion came from private hospitals and how much originated from public facilities.
“I am ready to give this Ksh12.7 billion that we have rejected, we have unpaid for, because of reasons such as fraud. I will give you data which shows how much is from the private sector and from the public hospitals,” Duale stated.
SHA performance report
He also provided an update on SHA’s performance with Duale, noting that as of late February 2026, 29.7 million Kenyans had registered under the new health scheme.
In addition, during the same period, SHA collected Ksh142.78 billion in contributions and disbursed Ksh105 billion to healthcare providers across the country.
Duale further revealed that SHA was achieving an average claims settlement rate of 73 per cent across all categories of healthcare providers.
“We are achieving an average claims settlement rate across all providers, be it private, public or faith-based, at a settlement rate of 73 per cent across the board,” he reiterated.
Despite the progress, Duale acknowledged challenges in harmonising health laws and pushing through the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, which he said is critical to standardising care.
“The state of our healthcare is transforming. We have moved from a deficit-ridden NHIF to a surplus-generating SHA, stopped the haemorrhage of public funds and redirected resources to the mwananchi,” he said.
The CS urged senators to provide legislative backing and oversight to anchor the gains and ensure universal health coverage becomes a reality.