Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi has raised concerns over persistent challenges in Kenya’s Social Health Authority rollout, citing unpredictable payments to health facilities, fragmented maternity services, and recurring system failures affecting claims processing.
Speaking on behalf of the Council of Governors' health committee chairperson, Abdul Samad, at the 29th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) in Nairobi, Abdullahi said, “We take note of everything that the CSs said and presented… however, there still persists certain challenges which we have previously raised.”
He highlighted that some counties have failed to provide predictable payment schedules for unpaid claims, despite a commitment to release funds by the 14th of each month.
“Some of the companies have not received their funding from us, the last being September, in some cases, or October in others,” Abdullahi explained, emphasizing that account detail errors and paperwork issues have compounded delays.
He also warned that legitimate claims continue to be flagged as fraudulent, undermining trust and disrupting service delivery.
Abdullahi noted that maternity services are increasingly fragmented, with limited access and affordability challenges, particularly at level two and three hospitals.
“Maternity services are no longer free… access is restrictive, limited care, and it’s affordability,” he said, stressing the need to implement Summit resolutions to ensure all mothers, including teenage mothers and those without identification, can access care.
To address these challenges, the council has proposed a series of solutions, including issuing a dated county-by-county and facility-by-facility payment plan for outstanding claims.
Abdullahi urged immediate correction of MIS-rooted payments and verification of funds sent to the wrong facilities, particularly in Kilifi, Tana River, and Meru.
“Digital claims system fixes must be prioritized because it is very much system dependent on maternity claim verification,” he added.
He also called for targeted accountability measures instead of blanket sanctions, warning that indiscriminate blacklisting of public health facilities would be counterproductive.
“We’re seeking targeted accountability… instead of blanket sanctions, there should be written completion with clear direction,” Abdullahi said.
Abdullahi reiterated the County governments’ commitment to supporting change management adaptations across health facilities while urging all counties to actively implement reforms.
“Maternity should indeed be free for every mother… we must prioritize system fixes and predictable payments to ensure equitable access to care,” he said.
The chairperson emphasized that collective action between counties and the Ministry of Health is critical to realizing the full benefits of the Social Health Authority rollout.
