SHA Fraud Sparks Calls for Duale’s Exit
MP Kibagendi notified the media in Parliament that the case is serious. He reported that when the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) closed
They complain that certain health providers are paid consistently while others, who care for patients deeply, have never been paid. Photo/ KBC Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
There is growing pressure on Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to step aside over suspected fraud at the Social Health Authority (SHA). MPs have given him 48 hours to resign, threatening to bring a motion of impeachment in Parliament when it resumes if he fails to listen.
The MPs, members of the Kenya Moja faction, accuse the CS of enabling a scandal that has cost the taxpayer billions of shillings. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Kitutu Chache MP Antoney Kibagendi led the charge, claiming that Duale had looked the other way while corruption thrived at SHA.
They call for the Chairperson and also the Authority CEO to resign. Their whole SHA management has been discredited and, in their view, needs to be overhauled completely. Legislators cite instances of a conflict of interest, prejudiced payments, and nepotism when paying the money.
They complain that certain health providers are paid consistently while others, who care for patients deeply, have never been paid. More alarmingly are reports of non-existent or “ghost” hospitals being on the payroll and raking in millions of shillings.
MP Kibagendi notified the media in Parliament that the case is serious. He reported that when the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) closed, it had Ksh 32 billion worth of arrears. Remarkably, he reported, SHA has already collected Ksh 43 billion of outstanding claims in just ten months. That adds up to Ksh 75 billion of outstanding payments.
The MPs indicate that these disclosures will be the basis of their impeachment motion. They assert that Kenyans are entitled to honesty, transparency, and accountability in health financing.
In defense of himself, CS Duale made the disclosures hours ago that SHA had turned down fictitious claims to the tune of Ksh 10 billion from corrupt facilities. He averred that the hospitals have since been closed down.
But lawmakers assert that Duale cannot absolve himself of culpability. They say that as the Health Cabinet Secretary, he must accept complete political responsibility.
The deadlock now sets the stage for a hot political battle in Parliament when the House resumes sittings, with Duale’s career hanging in the balance.
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