“SHA Will Collapse In SIX Months!” – Gachagua Warns
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned that the Social Health Authority is on the brink of collapse.
Gachagua claimed that the government-run insurance program could face severe operational challenges within the next six months.
Addressing congregants at ACK Diocese of Kirinyaga in Ndia Constituency on Sunday, March 29, Gachagua painted a dire picture of the country’s healthcare system.
He warned that without urgent intervention, the looming SHA failure could trigger a nationwide crisis in service delivery.
“I have information that SHA will collapse in 6 months and we will have a crisis in the health sector,” Gachagua stated.
According to the former DP, unpaid bills owed by the SHA to hospitals, particularly faith‑based and private facilities, are undermining the entire health system.
He claims that at the moment, the facilities are owed by the government of up to Ksh90 million, and the debt might lead to the hospitals shutting down.
Social Health Authority CEO Mercy Mwangangi presents a detailed list of all recently recruited employees to the Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration on March 24, 2026.
“Today, as we speak, our hospitals , especially the faith-based hospitals are owed Ksh90 billion and are almost shutting down,” he added.
“I want to give advice to our hospitals. If SHA collapses, all our hospitals will collapse, Our hospitals should demand the release of the Ksh90 billion before they render services,” he said.
His claims come at a time when SHA is facing a financial crisis, with total arrears to hospitals estimated at over Ksh 76 billion, including arrears inherited from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The government has, however, disbursed funds to hospitals owed, with a recent disbursement of Ksh 15.4 billion in March. Adding to the Ksh 15.4 billion, the government also disbursed Ksh 4.1 billion to clear a portion of the arrears owed by NHIF.
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Despite the payment, hospitals are still demanding more from the Ministry of Health, something that would see the facilities close down, according to Gachagua.
To mitigate the crisis, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader advised the hospitals that have long been faced with the challenges to negotiate for up‑front payments or require advance monthly reimbursements rather than waiting for delayed remittances.
This move, Gachagua suggests, could protect their financial stability and ensure continuity of care.
“I propose and advice the hospitals to consider demanding up-front payment from the SHA. They demand a monthly average and get paid in advance,” the former DP added.
The Ministry of Health has committed to settling future hospital claims by the 14th of every month so as to ensure financial stability.
“SHA Will Collapse In SIX Months!” – Gachagua Warns
