The Social Health Authority (SHA) has dismissed claims that it disbursed KSh20 million to a non-existent health facility in Homa Bay County, terming the reports as false and misleading.

In a statement on Friday, August 22, SHA clarified that Nyandiwa Level 4 Hospital in Suba South has been operational since the 1970s and was previously known as Nyandiwa Dispensary before its upgrade.

The Authority noted that it is standard practice for hospitals to retain their existing bank account names even after transitioning to higher-level facilities.

“The disbursement of KSh19,998,720 represents legitimate and accumulated claims duly processed in line with SHA’s strict verification and payment protocols,” the statement read.

SHA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mercy Mwangangi says the facility has so far received KSh751,504 under the Primary Health Care Fund (PHCF) and KSh82,080,706 under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). These, she says, are accumulated payments dating back to October 2024.

According to SHA, the abandoned building highlighted in the media is one of the incomplete structures left by a former county administration and has never been contracted by SHA.

The public has been urged to access all payment details through SHA’s official website, where disbursement records are published regularly.

The agency also stressed that payments vary according to benefit packages, including inpatient, outpatient, surgical, maternity, dialysis, mental health, and other specialized services.

Mwangangi is now calling on the media to exercise due diligence and responsible journalism, warning against sensational reporting that undermines public trust in health financing reforms.

“SHA does not and will never will never disburse funds to non-existent or uncontracted facilities,” she emphasized. “Every payment is subject to rigorous verification to safeguard public funds and strengthen health service deliver.”