CS Duale Links SHA Criticism to Crackdown on Rogue Health Facilities

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has blamed what he termed as “fraudulent health facilities” for the growing criticism and attacks targeting the Social Health Authority (SHA), following a wave of hospital closures linked to suspected fraud.

Speaking amid escalating political and public scrutiny, Duale defended the government’s healthcare reforms, insisting that the crackdown on rogue facilities is necessary to safeguard public funds and restore integrity within the system. He argued that some of the loudest critics of SHA are operators of hospitals shut down for engaging in fraudulent activities.

“I want to tell you for free: the people whose hospitals I have closed because of fraud are the ones you are dealing with,” Duale stated, signaling a firm stance against what he described as entrenched malpractice in the health sector.

The remarks come in the wake of a nationwide purge targeting facilities accused of submitting fake or exaggerated claims under SHA. According to the Ministry of Health, several hospitals have been shut down in recent weeks, with dozens more under investigation for alleged irregular billing practices, including claims for services not rendered.

Government data indicates that the crackdown is part of a broader effort that has already seen over 1,000 facilities closed or flagged over time, with hundreds currently under probe by investigative agencies. Investigations have uncovered schemes such as double billing, ghost patients, and even entirely non-existent hospitals siphoning funds from the public health insurer.

Despite the ongoing enforcement, the SHA programme continues to face criticism from political leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has questioned the scheme’s effectiveness and claimed it is failing Kenyans—particularly teachers transitioning from previous insurance arrangements.