Ruto declares zero tolerance for fraud in SHA rollout

President William Ruto has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the success of the Social Health Authority (SHA), insisting that the new health scheme will not be derailed by corruption or fraud.

He said the government is using digitized systems to expose and eliminate the networks that previously drained public funds through the collapsed NHIF.

Speaking during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Kiambu County at State House, Nairobi, the President said SHA is already playing a major role in uncovering fraudulent activities that plagued the health sector for years.

He blamed theft for the downfall of the NHIF, which ran into a Sh30 billion debt, and assured the public that those mistakes would not be repeated under the new framework.

“The theft that collapsed NHIF into Sh30 billion debt will not happen under SHA. The digitization process of SHA is what is making us detect all the fraudulent claims, all the ghost hospitals, and all the fake patients attempting to carry out fraud,” Ruto said.

He revealed that nearly 1,000 health facilities have already been shut down after being found to be involved in malpractice.

According to the President, the crackdown will not stop at closures — those behind the fraud will be forced to return the money they stole and face legal consequences.

“We are not going to stop at closing the facilities. We will also make sure they refund the money if they have been paid. And thirdly, we are going to prosecute them, because it is criminal to steal money meant for patients,” he warned.

Ruto emphasized that the cleanup process is essential to building a reliable and sustainable health system that protects public funds while ensuring Kenyans receive quality care.

“So watch this space. SHA is going to work, because we are going to eliminate fraud,” he said.

Separately, the Social Health Authority has announced the suspension of several health facilities across different counties in Kenya.

These facilities have temporarily been removed from the national social health scheme.

The announcement was made through a gazette notice issued by SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi on Tuesday.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 48 (6) of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, the Social Health Authority hereby gives notice to the public of the suspension of the health facilities set out in the Schedule below,” the notice stated.

While the specific reasons for the suspensions were not given, the affected health centres are spread across multiple regions, with Mandera County having the highest number at ten.

Other affected counties include Wajir (two), Kisumu (three), Narok (one), Turkana (one), Garissa (three), Kakamega (two), Homa Bay (six), Bungoma (two), Kisii (seven), Meru (one), Kirinyaga (one), Busia (one), Migori (one), Nandi (one), Kajiado (one), Nairobi (one), and Uasin Gishu (one).

The move by SHA reflects the government's broader agenda to clean up the health sector by rooting out corrupt practices and ensuring only qualified, compliant institutions participate in the national scheme.