Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dismissed claims that the Social Health Authority (SHA) is non-operational in Garissa County, saying the government has already disbursed more than KSh 1.6 billion to support healthcare services under the scheme.
In a press statement issued on June 6, 2026, the Ministry of Health responded to remarks made in a widely circulated video featuring Garissa Governor Nathif Jama. In the video, the governor is heard suggesting that SHA services were not available in the county, sparking public debate over the effectiveness of the government’s health insurance reforms.
Duale termed the claims misleading and reaffirmed that SHA remains a key pillar of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda. He noted that the authority continues to facilitate access to healthcare services for millions of Kenyans across the country.
According to the Ministry, official records show that Garissa County has received a total of KSh 1.65 billion under various SHA funding streams.
The largest allocation, amounting to KSh 1.26 billion, was disbursed through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). An additional KSh 220.8 million was provided under the Primary Healthcare Operations Support Fund (POMSF), while KSh 155.9 million was released through Primary Healthcare Care (PHC) funding. The county also received KSh 10.1 million under the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF).
The Ministry said the funds were intended to strengthen healthcare delivery systems and improve access to quality medical services for residents of Garissa County.
Duale further assured Kenyans that SHA remains fully operational and committed to providing affordable and accessible healthcare services.
He emphasized that all citizens seeking medical care deserve to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect regardless of their social or economic status.
The Health CS also called for responsible leadership and accurate dissemination of information, arguing that public confidence in healthcare reforms can only be strengthened through facts, empathy, and accountability.
In the short clip that went viral on social media, Nathif Jama is seen interacting with a local lady who is seeking help from him. The governor then casually mentions “hapa hakuna SHA” to mean ” there is no SHA here”. The governor is yet to give an explanation over the same.
