The Social Health Authority (SHA) has unveiled a new team of 82 principal officers tasked with strengthening the delivery of health services to the public.
The appointments, covering 18 different departments, are aimed at reinforcing the leadership of the state-run health insurance scheme.
Among the appointees, three principal officers have been assigned to the legal services department: Millicent Lukasile, David Njue Fasiriano, and Archibold Nyarango. David Dawe Gambo and Joseph Owuor Otieno will lead the Benefits Management department, while Budha Peter Oko and Sosten Kibet Lelan will oversee Supply Chain Management.
The Planning and Linkages department will be managed by Geoffrey Okora and Boniface Kitonyo Kamuti.
Registration and Compliance at the county coordination level will be handled by Geoffrey Mwangi Thiaka and Anab Sharrif Mohamed, while Minnie Wanja Gitau and Faith Sitoi Tonkei will take charge of the broader Registration and Compliance designation.
Fund Management will be overseen by Boniface Kitheka, Eustace Mweri Mwangi, Sheila Jelagat Kipkulei, Benedict Mutua, Simon Njachi Kariuki, and Ann Daki Shokono. The Finance and Accounts department will be led by Rahab Waruguru Mumbi and Amos Manani, with Gloria Chebet Rotich and Jaldesa Amina in charge of Administration.
Launched in October 2024, SHA replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which had served Kenyans for more than half a century.
The authority merges three major funds: the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the Primary Healthcare Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illnesses Fund.
President William Ruto endorsed SHA as a tool to eliminate loopholes exploited by cartels in the health sector. He noted the scheme’s rapid growth, highlighting that more than 20 million Kenyans have already registered as beneficiaries.
While acknowledging the programme’s success, Ruto warned that some hospitals and practitioners continue to attempt fraud.
“Despite our efforts to make the scheme fraud-resistant, it remains vulnerable to malpractice. Offenders will face prosecution and be forced to refund any money illegally obtained," he stated.
Over 1,000 health facilities have been shut down or had their licences revoked due to alleged fraud, the president said.
His comments came amid concerns over SHA’s operations, with unverified reports suggesting a multi-million shilling scandal involving misappropriation of funds within the scheme.
