Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to expedite investigations into hospitals implicated in the Social Health Authority (SHA) scandal.

This came during his meeting with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who handed over 1,088 files of hospitals that the ministry says have been defrauding the SHA. The files, compiled after months of scrutiny, contain evidence of irregular dealings that are believed to have cost the health sector millions.

Speaking during the forum held on Monday, September 1, 2025, Kanja said the DCI must move swiftly to ensure that all individuals and institutions involved in the fraud are prosecuted and held accountable before the courts.

He further assured that the National Police Service will continue working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure the country is safeguarded against fraudulent activities that undermine healthcare services.

“DCI is hereby directed to move with speed and ensure that all those people, ever-present groups of persons involved in the fraud against healthcare services, are brought to book and have their day before the court of law. The National Police Service will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health so as to ensure that the country is free from such kinds of activities,” NPS stated.

Submission of the files

While presenting the files to the investigative agencies, Health Cabinet Secretary 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.