Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, January 24, 2025, met with the former National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) CEO Geoffrey Mwangi.

The meeting comes at a time when the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the defunct NHIF, is facing implementation hurdles amid plans by the government to form a committee to address the challenges.

In a statement on Friday, January 24, 2025, Gachagua said his interaction with the former health insurance boss had enlightened him and given him a perspective on possible solutions.

“Today at my Wamunyoro residence, I have had a candid discussion with CPA Geoffrey Mwangi, who is the former NHIF CEO,” Gachagua said.

“He is also known for his vital role in spearheading the health sector in Kenya and bringing on board the critical program that is Linda Mama contributing so well to the nation’s strides toward Universal Health Coverage.”

Gachagua equally noted that the insights shared by Mwangi could greatly benefit all Kenyans seeking access to quality healthcare.

Mwangi’s track-record

“The insights shared were incredibly valuable, and it was enlightening to hear his perspective on potential solutions. This forward-thinking mindset is essential as we aim to create sustainable solutions that will benefit every Kenyan,” he said.

Mwangi became the CEO of the defunct NHIF in 2016 after serving at the health insurance agency as the finance and investments manager.

He was, however, put on a compulsory leave over charges of loss of huge sums of money at NHIF, cases which were later dropped by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

SHA challenges

On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni intimated that the state was planning to institute a committee of experts to look into the hurdles faced by the SHA.

Speaking in Nyeri, Muthoni said that the government was working to address challenges including the claims by some that SHA was paying insignificant amounts with patients having to fork money out of their pockets.

“We have challenges with SHA. This is a project where we have gotten 100 per cent, but it doesn’t mean that the government is sitting pretty and moving on. We are fixing the issues so that we lower the voices of those who are saying SHA is paying very little of the medical bills,” Muthoni said.

Matters came to a head when Grace Mulei- a woman who briefly disrupted a press briefing at Afya House over SHA inefficiencies was arrested and later released on a cash bail.