GARISSA— Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced the closure of 12 health facilities since March 30 over alleged serious fraud in the Social Health Authority (SHA) system, vowing a relentless pursuit to safeguard public resources meant for ordinary citizens, civil servants, teachers, police, and prison officers.
Speaking on Saturday in Garissa town, CS Duale revealed that forensic auditors from the SHA had flagged the facilities—mainly private and some public—for irregularities including fictitious billing and fraudulent claims. Among those suspended are Bungoma West Hospital in Bungoma County, Baypharm Medical Centre in Homa Bay, Dawida Annex Hospital Ltd in Taita Taveta, Kerugoya Medical Centre in Kirinyaga, Raycos Health Centre in Mombasa, Calvary Hope Medical Centre in Bungoma, Shamberere Dispensary in Kakamega, Kurafa Medical Centre in Kiambu, Umoja Three Medical Centre in Nairobi, and Pro Elite Westlands General and Specialist Hospital Ltd in Nairobi.
Duale stressed that political connections or social media campaigns would not shield errant facility owners. “We will protect public resources meant for the treatment and healthcare of our citizens,” he declared, adding that 24 facilities are currently undergoing detailed forensic audits while over 250 others are under active investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The crackdown forms part of a broader effort: the SHA, in collaboration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, has closed over 1,000 facilities since the intensified drive began. Thirty files have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), with 18 cases already before the courts.
The CS singled out five counties as perennial hotspots for health fraud, largely involving private hospitals closely linked to SHA funds, similar to patterns previously seen under the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). These are Homa Bay, Bungoma, Mandera, Wajir, and Kisii.
Presided over the 3rd graduation ceremony at Hawa Kosar Islamic Centre, High School level, where we celebrated 25 young women who successfully completed their Islamic Studies program.
I commended the graduates and urged the community to continue supporting religious education… pic.twitter.com/alQdvODhT5
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) April 4, 2026
Duale urged all Kenyans enrolled in the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to download the Afya Yangu app to track their benefits, monitor balances, and report any facilities attempting to impose extra charges beyond what is legally provided.
“I want to ask all Kenyan patients, be they teachers, be they police officers, be they Kenya prison officers, be they public servants, be they ordinary citizens who are members of SHIF, please download Afiya Yangu app. Follow your benefits, see your balances, and help us identify any facility that wants to co-charge you, that wants to give you extra cost outside what is provided for in law.” Duale said.
He also clarified that system utilisation fees charged by the digital platform are authorised under the Digital Health Act No. 15 of 2023, specifically the data exchange regulations, to which facilities had consented.
The government maintains that these measures are essential to ensure the sustainability of universal health coverage and prevent the diversion of funds intended for genuine patient care. Further suspensions and prosecutions are expected as investigations continue.
