1,000 health facilities shut over SHA fraud, Ruto says

President William Ruto addressing Kenyans living in the United Kingdom, during his Europe tour, on July 2, 2025. [PCS]

The government has shut 1,000 health facilities accused of defrauding SHA.

This is according to President William Ruto who warned that more closures are expected.

He was speaking during a town hall engagement with Kenyans living in the United Kingdom (UK) as part of his Europe tour that saw him also visit Spain.

"The criminal elements staining SHA will not succeed. More facilities are on the radar," he warned.

SHA has reported cases of fraudulent claims from health providers. Similar fraud cases were partly blamed for the downfall of NHIF and threaten the new scheme.

However, the President's figures contradict those of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale who recently announced the closure of 35 hospitals over the unethical conduct.

"We have noted a growing trend of fraud involving facilities, healthcare workers, and even patients. These actions are illegal and a betrayal of public trust," Duale said in Kisumu.

Duale cited cases where SHA access codes were misused to claim unrendered services, warning that culprits will face prosecution.

"We are aware of cases where patients share their access codes with hospitals to fraudulently claim services not rendered. That is criminal fraud, and all involved will be prosecuted," he stressed.

Nonetheless, President Ruto has expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the Social Health Authority (SHA) nine months after it rolled out.

According to him, the scheme has served at least 4.9 million patients surpassing the number its predecessor, National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) , would have managed over the same period.

Ruto pitched SHA, his administration flagship health programme, as a transformative plan that has placed quality and affordable care within reach for many Kenyans.

"Our Social Health Authority is working. In eight months, it has served more than 4.9 million people, far more than NHIF could have managed," he said.

Kenyans have reported mixed experiences when accessing health services through the scheme. While others have had hospital expenses covered by SHA, others have registered frustrations.