Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr appearing before the Senate’s County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva
The Senate’s County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee has resolved to summon officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA), Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), and the Council of Governors (CoG) in a bid to resolve the delayed payment of about Ksh 9 billion owed to county hospitals under the new health scheme.
Committee Chairperson and Migori Senator Eddie Oketch emphasized the urgency of addressing the prevailing challenges facing the SHA, warning that millions of Kenyans are now struggling to access essential health services in public hospitals across the counties.
Appearing before the committee, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr made damning revelations about the chaotic rollout of SHA, accusing the national government of ignoring critical proposals submitted by CoG prior to the scheme’s implementation.
“I was the Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee at CoG when SHA was being debated. We raised concerns about the transition from NHIF to SHA, but unfortunately, we were not heard. The rushed implementation left many unresolved issues, including lack of accountability over which facilities were public and which were faith-based,” said Governor Mutula.
He added that while the government has cited fraud in some claims, there are still numerous genuine claims from both public and faith-based hospitals that remain unpaid.
Mutula called on the National Assembly to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves and raise it on the floor of the House.
“This is not just an administrative issue. It’s a crisis. The idea of forming committees to discuss legitimate grievances is a form of delay tactic. SHA's management must be held accountable,” he said.
Governor Mutula further stressed that since health is a devolved function, and SHA was intended to support the most vulnerable, the Senate should treat the matter as a national emergency.
Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu echoed his sentiments, expressing concern that SHA does not fully cover cancer patients and that critical programmes such as Linda Mama have stalled.
“This programme was supposed to assist the poor, but now, Patients are being asked to pay for a full year’s cover before receiving services. It’s heartbreaking,” said Kavindu.
Senator Oketch announced that the committee will summon SHA’s Chief Executive Officer to provide a status report and present a strategic plan for settling the outstanding payments owed to counties.
Governor Mutula also criticized the Senate over the Ksh 415 billion allocation agreed upon by both Houses, noting that health is largely devolved and requires more funding at the county level.
“We cannot talk about improving healthcare if counties continue to be underfunded. The Senate must stand firm and push for increased resource allocation,” Mutula said.
The committee is expected to begin its inquiry in the coming days, with stakeholders and county officials hopeful that the impasse will be resolved swiftly.
