Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has addressed stakeholder claims of delayed payments to health facilities under the national health financing framework. He explained that the clinical review and verification of claims is an ongoing process to ensure accuracy and compliance. Duale revealed that 10,272 facilities have been contracted and are delivering services.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale spoke in Garissa County on Sunday, January 25, 2026, responding to concerns from public, private, and faith-based health facilities over government payment delays. He described the clinical review and verification of claims as an ongoing and rigorous process to ensure accuracy, value for money, and full compliance with guidelines.
"I wish to clarify concerns that have been raised regarding payments to public, private and faith-based health facilities under the national health financing framework. Clinical review and verification of submitted claims is an ongoing and rigorous process, undertaken to ensure accuracy, value for money and full compliance with established guidelines," Duale stated.
On disbursed funds, Duale detailed that Ksh13 billion has been paid under the Primary Health Care (PHC) framework to support frontline and preventive services nationwide. An additional Ksh75 billion has been released through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for essential and specialized healthcare. Furthermore, Ksh3.5 billion was disbursed under the Public Officers Medical Scheme for eligible beneficiaries' continuity of care. Additionally, Ksh1 billion has been allocated to the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund for life-saving interventions.
These clarifications came amid reports of operational crises in facilities, including Muranga County's claims of hundreds of millions owed by SHA, which later pledged payments. Private facilities have warned of potential collapse, with some requiring out-of-pocket payments from patients. Faith-based hospitals have echoed similar issues, leading to a temporary suspension of SHA services at a Catholic hospital in Kakamega before government intervention.
Duale recently noted that while nearly Ksh75 billion has been settled under SHA, significant arrears persist from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). He committed to payments, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and prudent resource management. The government will continue engaging stakeholders openly, providing timely updates, and maintaining high integrity standards as reviews progress and claims are settled per the law.
