AfriPulse
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has responded to claims by stakeholders that payment of funds to health facilities has been delayed under the national health financing framework.
Speaking in Garissa County on Sunday, January 25, Duale said the clinical review and verification of submitted claims remains a continuous process that is aimed at ensuring accuracy and full compliance with established guidelines before payments are released.
He revealed that a total of 10,272 health facilities across the country have so far been successfully contracted and are actively delivering services under the new health financing arrangements.
“I wish to clarify concerns that have been raised regarding payments to public, private and faith-based health facilities under the national health financing framework. Clinical review and verification of submitted claims is an ongoing and rigorous process, undertaken to ensure accuracy, value for money and full compliance with established guidelines,” Duale stated.
Health CS Aden Duale at an event in Garissa on Sunday, January 25, 2026
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Aden Duale
On funds already disbursed, the CS detailed that Ksh13 billion has been paid under the Primary Health Care (PHC) framework to support frontline and preventive health services nationwide. An additional Ksh75 billion has been released through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to facilitate access to essential and specialised healthcare services.
At the same time, Ksh3.5 billion had been disbursed under the Public Officers Medical Scheme to ensure continuity of care for eligible beneficiaries. Further, Ksh1 billion has been paid to the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund to support life-saving interventions for patients in need.
His clarifications followed concerns that have been raised by health facilities, including public, private and faith-based hospitals, over delays in disbursements of funds by the government.
Healthcare facilities have reported severe operational crises due to payment delays from the government. Recently, the Muranga County government raised concerns over funds owed by the SHA amounting to hundreds of millions. SHA later committed to paying the owed amounts.
Private facilities have warned that the delays might lead to collapse, with some facilities already forcing patients to pay out of their pockets. Faith-sponsored hospitals have also continued to raise the same concerns. This led to the suspension of the services under SHA at a catholic based hospital in Kakamega before government intervention.
Duale recently stated that while it has settled close to Ksh75 billion, under SHA, huge arrears remained under the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
While committing to the fact that the payments will be made, Duale emphasised that transparency, accountability and prudent stewardship of public resources remain at the core of the process.
He noted that the government will continue to engage openly with stakeholders, issue timely updates and uphold the highest standards of integrity as clinical reviews progress and outstanding claims are settled in accordance with the law.
Social Health Authority building in Nairobi.
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Ministry of Health
Source: Kenyans.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
