SHA disburses Ksh3.4B amid questions on delays and transparency
By Ascah Mwango, August 21, 2025The Social Health Authority (SHA) has released Ksh3.4 billion to hospitals across the country under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), amid growing concerns over delays and transparency in its disbursement process.
In a statement issued on Thursday, SHA said the money covers inpatient care, drugs and substance abuse treatment, mental wellness, critical care, and surgeries.
The Authority further disclosed that Ksh1.09 billion has been disbursed from the Primary Health Care Fund, while another Ksh1.7 billion is being processed for dialysis, oncology, and surgical claims.
“The Social Health Authority (SHA) has disbursed KES 3.4 billion to health facilities nationwide for Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) claims for inpatient care, drugs and substances abuse cover, mental wellness, critical care, and surgeries. Further to this, an additional 1.09 billion has been disbursed from the Primary Health Care Fund, and an additional KES1.7 billion is in processing for dialysis, oncology and surgical claims,” SHA stated.
The Authority also moved to clarify information circulating on social media regarding Nyandiwa Level 4 Hospital. According to the statement, the facility received Kshh19 million between January and June 2025 for inpatient long stays and maternity services.
“The Level 4 hospital has confirmed receipt of the funds. SHA remains committed to timely payments, accountability, and transparency,” the statement read, adding that a full list of disbursements will soon be published on the SHA website.
The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) recently reported that only 20 per cent of facilities under the Primary Health Care Fund had received full reimbursements, forcing many into debt, default, or even closure.
In July, SHA admitted that claims were still being reviewed, with some reimbursements pending for weeks. The Ministry of Health reported that since October 2024, SHA has collected Ksh20.9 billion and disbursed Ksh18.2 billion, though complaints from healthcare providers about late and inconsistent payments persist.
President William Ruto has defended the Authority, saying it has paid out Ksh56.4 billion since October 2024, three times more than what the defunct NHIF disbursed annually.
Even so, private hospitals have accused SHA of using an opaque formula to determine claim payouts and have staged protests demanding greater transparency.
While the latest disbursement offers some relief, unresolved delays and questions over accountability continue to undermine confidence in the new health insurance system.