By Gerald Mukembu
The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has issued a scathing indictment of the Social Health Authority (SHA), accusing it of threatening the survival of the country’s healthcare system due to massive delays in reimbursement payments.
Speaking at a joint press briefing held in Meru, RUPHA leaders representing over 700 private and faith-based health facilities nationwide raised alarm over what they termed as systemic financial neglect by the government. Led by Chairperson Dr. Brian Lishenga and Vice Chair Rev. Joseph Kariuki, the practitioners said the viability of hospitals is at risk due to delayed or missing payments from SHA and the now-defunct NHIF.
“Since the inception of SHA in October 2024, Kenyan hospitals have submitted claims worth Sh93 billion, yet only Sh50 billion has been reimbursed. We are now owed Sh43 billion in unpaid SHA liabilities,” said Dr. Lishenga.
The leaders have called on the President William Ruto’s administration to fast tract payment of NHIF and SHA pending bills that amount to Sh76billion (Sh33billion NHIF plus Sh43billion SHA) owed to Kenyan hospitals.
They said the SHA public Portal is publishing misleading information and propaganda.
“Despite a ministerial directive that SHA reimbursements to facilities be made on the 14th of every month, this has not been honoured. Since Inception in October 2024, Kenyan hospitals have submitted Sh93billion in claims to SHA but only Sh50billion has been reimbursed. Hospitals are now owed Sh43billion in unpaid SHA liabilities,” Lishenga said.
Lishenga said that persistent non-payment of Primary Health care reimbursement continues in Mombasa, Kirinyaga, Embu and Nandi counties which are key in piloting the Digital Super
highway.
“Hospitals in these counties are under-resourced, under motivated and unable to deliver the government’s free primary healthcare. RUPHA is gravely concerned about the deletion of bed capacity and downgrading of facilities in the SHA Portal, despite these facilities holding valid KMPDC licences,” he said.
Kariuki said the ministry of health has weaponized fraud controls instead of addressing the flawed proxy means testing model and unaffordable annual premiums that burden Kenyans.
“Hospitals are facing insolvency while the government delays action. Private hospitals responsible for 50% of health services in Kenya continue to face discrimination treatment. RUPHA remains committed to working with the health ministry but will not remain silent as hospitals collapse under debt, patients denied care and UHC being reduced to a political slogan,” Kariuki noted.
He said hospitals are facing great challenges of paying their workers and suppliers while some institutions even sacking employees due to lack of funds.
