Dr. Mercy Mwangangi has officially assumed office as the Chief Executive Officer of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
She takes over from Dr. Robert Ingasira, who held the position in an acting capacity.
The handover ceremony was presided over by Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, who called on SHA to champion a culture of discipline, hard work, and excellence in service delivery.
Dr. Oluga urged the agency to strengthen systems that guarantee access to quality healthcare and uphold the constitutional right to health.
“SHA must remain the pillar of our nation’s health reforms,” said Dr. Oluga, pledging full government backing to ensure the success of UHC initiatives under Dr. Mwangangi’s leadership.
Since the launch of TAIFA Care in October 2024, Kenya’s healthcare transformation has gathered pace, with over 23 million Kenyans registered under SHA.
The scheme has already disbursed KSh 43 billion to healthcare providers and enabled 4.5 million Kenyans to access fully covered treatment.
Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay, President William Ruto declared, “SHA is working,” lauding the agency’s success in restoring public confidence in health systems.
Among the milestones is the Emergency, Critical, and Chronic Illness Fund, which has eliminated hospital admission deposits in emergencies, guaranteeing free emergency services in government hospitals.
SHA has also partnered with Aga Khan University Hospital to offer life-saving surgeries to registered patients.
Meanwhile, the rollout of Lipa SHA Pole Pole—a flexible payment model for informal sector workers is set to expand access to affordable healthcare for all.
