Kenya Moja leaders demand Duale, SHA bosses quit over fraud claims
Politics
By
Gloria Milimu and Sharon Wanga
| Aug 27, 2025
Legislators under the banner Kenya Moja, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna (centre) flanked by Bomachoge Borabu MP Obadia Barongo (from left), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Tonny Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South) and Wilber Oundo (Funyula) address a press conference at Parliament Buildings on August 27th,2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
A section of lawmakers allied to Kenya Moja has called for the immediate resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Social Health Authority (SHA) board chair Mohamed Abdi over alleged multibillion-shilling fraud at the agency.
Speaking at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, August 27, the MPs, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, accused Duale of conflict of interest and complacency, saying he had resorted to “media theatrics” to cover up rot at SHA.
“CS Duale must go. First for the conflict of interest, for complacency, and for trying to hoodwink Kenyans with media theatrics, summoning cameras to harass and suspend facilities while putting up a tough face to mask the rot,” Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi said while reading a joint statement.
The lawmakers also called for a Commission of Inquiry into SHA within 48 hours.
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Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, alongside MPs Obadia Barongo, Clive Gisairo, Tonny Kibagendi, and Wilber Oundo, claim to have evidence of massive looting at SHA, urge Health CS Aden Duale to step down. pic.twitter.com/spwAsZkQkO — The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) August 27, 2025
“We now demand the immediate resignation of CS Aden Duale and SHA chairperson for being complicit in issues raised, as well as call for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into SHA within the next 48 hours.”
They alleged they had raised red flags earlier, warning that the Authority was rushed, opaque, and mired in questionable procurement.
“Why spend Sh104 billion on a system with no clear state ownership, when upgrading NHIF’s existing platform would have cost only Sh700 million?” they asked.
They further claimed Duale is linked to the same company that developed SHA’s system, while Mohammed is associated with Ladnan Hospital, which allegedly received Sh66 million under the scheme.
The MPs further cited irregular and discriminatory payments, with some facilities denied funds while others—including non-existent or shuttered hospitals received millions.
Among them, Divine Sparkle Medical Centre in Homa Bay, which received Sh2.8 million despite not existing; Hanano Nursing Home- paid over Sh4 million and Sipili Maternity and Nursing Hospital, shut down three years ago after a TV exposé but allegedly paid close to Sh5 million.
They also pointed to newly registered facilities benefiting disproportionately. For instance, Wante Nursing Home Ltd, incorporated in February 2025 and approved the next day, had allegedly received Sh3.8 million by April despite lacking a physical location.
Accredited facilities in North Eastern reportedly ballooned from 153 to more than 700 in less than a year, with some names duplicated to facilitate theft, for example, Qarsadamu Medical Centre Ltd and Qarsadamu Dispensary.
The MPs warned that SHA is collapsing faster than its predecessor, the National Health Insurance Fund.
“When NHIF was shut down, it had arrears of Sh32 billion. In just 10 months, SHA has accumulated Sh43 billion in unpaid claims. The total debt now stands at a staggering Sh75 billion,” they said.
The legislators have now vowed to table the matter in Parliament next month and summon Duale to answer the allegations.