The Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as failures in the digital systems developed under the Social Health Authority (SHA), warning that the gaps are both costly and damaging to health service delivery.
In a statement released on its official X account on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, RUPHA accused the authority of failing to deliver on key health technology platforms that were expected to curb fraud, improve beneficiary management, strengthen quality control, and enhance drug tracking.
“Let us break down the problems with the SHA failed fraud detection (SHA ERP), failed beneficiary management platform, non-existent Quality Management System and what the recently launched ‘Kenya Pharmaceutical Information System – Track & Trace,’” RUPHA said.
The association pointed to four areas where the systems have either collapsed or are missing altogether. On fraud management, it cited the SHA eClaims platform, which it said was unreliable and easily manipulated.
“SHA eClaims System – rejects valid claims but can pay ghost hospitals. Apparently, SHA is currently procuring one after APEIRO failed to deliver a ghost-proof one,” the statement reads.
RUPHA also cast doubt on the recently unveiled Kenya Pharmaceutical Information System, questioning whether the Sh2.5 billion Track and Trace platform and the Sh2.46 billion Drug Utilisation Review would achieve accountability in the management of medicines.
“Track and Trace (Sh2.5billion) launched yesterday by Health CS Aden Duale – this will also include Drug Utilisation Review (Sh2.46billion),” the statement noted.
On quality assurance, the group said the funds allocated had not delivered a working system. “Quality Management System, Sh1.58 billion (enough to sort out KNH – NHIF arrears. Non-existent,” RUPHA stated.
The association further criticised the handling of training and support for providers, dismissing virtual learning as inadequate.
“Training, Support and Customer Education (Sh 7billion) – all provider training has been via Zoom and Microsoft Teams. There is no evidence of training for public hospitals,” it said.
RUPHA argued that instead of addressing the weaknesses in these platforms, the Ministry of Health has been preoccupied with blaming medical professionals.
“So while the CS Health Aden Duale daily calls Kenyan hospitals cartels and Kenyan doctors fraudsters, who is protecting Kenyans from the actual ones?” the association posed.
