By Peter Mwibanda
NAIROBI, Kenya (IP)
What was meant to be a revolutionary health reform is unraveling into one of Kenya’s biggest scandals.
The Social Health Authority (SHA), launched to replace the corruption-ridden NHIF, is under scrutiny after revelations that billions of shillings may have been allegedly siphoned off before the system became fully operational.
From the tenure of former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and the infamous ‘Covid billionares’to legislative links tied to current Health CS Aden Duale, a trail of questionable decisions suggests a calculated looting scheme disguised as reform.
Once again, Afya House long known as “Mafia House” is at the center of betrayal.
Reform or Reloaded Looting?
SHA was introduced to fix NHIF’s fraud legacy.
Instead, it appears to be a replica ;same script, new title.
Auditors flagged inflated contracts, ghost systems budgets and millions paid out under vague consultancy fees.
Whistleblowers say funds meant for outreach, tech systems and policy rollout have either disappeared or remain unaccounted for.
“There was never any intention to clean house,” said a senior official familiar with SHA’s rollout.
“It was engineered from the start as a funnel for money.”
From Kagwe to Duale
Kagwe, once praised for his pandemic leadership, is accused of laying the groundwork for SHA’s bloated budgets without clear audits.
Duale who pushed legislative groundwork for SHA while in Parliament has denied involvement but his name surfaces in alleged internal memos and committee notes.
“The public was sold a dream,” said political analyst Linda Mbote. “What we got instead was the same gang with a new mask.”
Mafia House’s Record
SHA is the latest scandal in a line of Afya House heists. In 2016, a KSh5 billion scam broke.
In 2020, COVID-19 funds were looted as health workers went unpaid.
Each time there were no prosecutions, no convictions but just reshuffles and scapegoats.
The nickname “Mafia House” is no longer a metaphor. It’s institutional.
Donor Alarm
Donor agencies including the World Bank and EU are quietly reviewing commitments after SHA’s early descent into controversy.
“How do you ask for more money when your health ministry has become a revolving door of theft?” asked a former Health PS.
No Arrests. No Shame.
Despite leaked audits no official has stepped aside. The government has promised investigations but Kenyans have seen this playbook before.
Civil groups now demand a full forensic audit and a freeze on SHA funds until an independent probe is complete.
“This isn’t just about stolen money — it’s about stolen lives,” said activist Susan Kiarie.
“Every shilling looted is a mother denied care, a child denied treatment, a family pushed deeper into poverty.”
A System at Breaking Point
As SHA flounders, hospitals remain underfunded, staff strike and patients crowdsource for treatment.
The promise of universal healthcare is collapsing into a cruel joke.
The bottom line: Kenya’s health system isn’t sick. It’s being poisoned from the top.
