Duale submits 1,088 files of facilities implicated in health scandal to DCI
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 1, 2025Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has provided an update as he presented 1,088 files of hospitals implicated in defrauding the Social Health Authority (SHA) and other health scandals to the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
Speaking at Afya House on Monday, September 1, 2025, Duale said the files represent the culmination of efforts by both the SHA and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
He noted that SHA submitted 190 files, while KMPDC handed in 998 files to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“Categories of the files of the facilities that we are presenting today to the DCI of the 1088 files are the culmination of its efforts, with SHA providing 190 files and regulator KMPDC providing 998 files. SHA is submitting files for 190 facilities, and these categories are categorised into 3,” Duale stated.
Duale explained that within the 190 files from SHA, the first category consists of 24 facilities where conclusive evidence of fraud has been established. He stated that these facilities have undergone a complete forensic audit, with system-generated evidence already provided, and that the DCI now has a solid basis to carry out further investigations and take lawful action.
“Category 1 are 24 facilities which are the conclusive evidence of fraud, so these 24 facilities’ forensic audit has been done; system evidence is being provided and is complete, and we are handing over complete evidence of fraud for the DCI to do further investigation and do what is necessary, what is within the law,” Duale said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that the second category includes 61 facilities where investigations are ongoing. He said that SHA, working with the regulator, has already conducted in-depth assessments, which will enable the DCI to finalise probes and recover funds that were fraudulently acquired.
Duale further noted that the third category involves 105 facilities that have been closed by KMPDC, despite having contracts with SHA. He stressed that these closures underscore the seriousness of the regulatory breaches and form part of the wider measures to clean up malpractice within the health sector.
Legal implication
On the regulator’s part, Duale highlighted that KMPDC submitted 998 files involving facilities found to be operating in violation of the law.
He emphasised that this submission marks a critical step in multi-agency collaboration that will see the DCI investigate and prosecute those responsible. Duale said that under Section 48(5) of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) Act of 2023, anyone found to have knowingly or unknowingly submitted false information to defraud the authority faces fines of up to Ksh 2 million, suspension, and removal from the register of empanelled providers.
This comes days after announcing that the ministry will present files of those facilities which have been defrauding SHA to the DCI.