Health CS Aden Duale Reaffirms Commitment to Free Primary Care and Cracks Down on Health Sector Fraud
𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢, 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 – Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale, EGH, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s primary healthcare system through accountability, timely compensation for frontline workers, and protection of public resources under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking during the launch of the Measles-Rubella and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Campaign at Githogoro Grounds in Nairobi, the Cabinet Secretary lauded the work of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), noting that they have already reached over 80,000 households in the early stages of SHA rollout. He assured them that the government will pay their stipends on time, recognizing their role as the first responders in the country’s primary healthcare system.
“CHPs are the heart of our health system, and we will honour their work with timely payments,” he said.
CS Duale emphasized that under SHA, primary healthcare services at dispensaries, health centres, and sub-county hospitals are fully free of charge for registered members. He urged members of the public to report any malpractice, denial of service, or fraudulent claims by calling the toll-free number *147#.
“If you go to a registered facility and are asked to pay for primary care services, report immediately. We will act,” he warned, stating that the Ministry will deal firmly with any attempts to misuse the government insurance scheme.
The CS also announced the government has introduced SHA Lipa Pole Pole, a flexible payment option to help Kenyans contribute gradually to the SHA and avoid financial hardship when accessing healthcare. He emphasized that the government has set aside KSh 13 billion to ensure no Kenyan is denied access to treatment at public facilities.
Turning to the private sector, CS Duale revealed that the Ministry has closed 1,400 private hospitals due to malpractice, fraudulent billing, and illegal claims. He cited one case where a private hospital—owned by a sitting Member of Parliament—was making multiple claims for surgeries surpassing the volume performed at Kenyatta National Hospital.
“We have hospitals claiming to do more surgeries than KNH. We shut down one
. If we find you defrauding Kenyans, your licence will be cancelled. I don’t care who owns the facility,” he said.
He made it clear that both public and private facilities must uphold the integrity of the national health insurance system, warning that the government will not tolerate institutions siphoning funds meant to treat Kenyans.
“Even if we are left with 20 hospitals, but they are honest, we are better off than having 2,000 with corruption,” he stated.
The CS called for public vigilance and transparency as the SHA reforms take shape. He urged citizens to demand accountability and reminded them that the Ministry is open to complaints and feedback via the *147# platform.