Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a stark warning over the future of the country’s healthcare system, claiming that the Social Health Authority (SHA) could collapse within the next six months, potentially triggering a nationwide health crisis.

Speaking during a church service at ACK Diocese of Kirinyaga, Ndia Constituency in Kirinyaga County on Sunday, March 29, 2026, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader sounded an alarm over growing concerns over delayed payments to hospitals.

Gachagua said he had credible information indicating that the system is under severe financial strain.

“We have a big challenge with our hospitals. I have information that SHA will collapse in another six months, and there will be a major crisis of unknown magnitude in the health sector,” Gachagua warned.

At the centre of the looming crisis, according to Gachagua, is a massive debt owed to healthcare providers, particularly faith-based institutions.

He claimed that hospitals are currently owed up to Ksh90 billion, leaving many struggling to sustain operations.

“Today as we speak, our hospitals, especially the faith-based hospitals, are owed Ksh90 billion, and they are almost shutting down,” he said.

Immediate action

Gachagua urged hospitals to take immediate steps to safeguard their survival, including demanding the settlement of outstanding payments before continuing to offer services under the SHA scheme.

He further proposed that hospitals consider requiring upfront payments from SHA to avoid deeper financial exposure.

The former deputy president cautioned that failure to address the issue could have far-reaching consequences across the entire healthcare system.

“I want to give very humble advice to our hospitals: if SHA collapses, all our hospitals will collapse, and we will have a very big crisis. So, our hospitals should demand immediately the release of the Ksh90 billion they are owed before they render more services to the patients, because if they don’t, SHA will collapse, and those institutions will collapse. I propose and advise our hospitals to consider demanding upfront payments from SHA,” Gachagua said.

Health sector players have in recent months raised concerns over delayed reimbursements and operational challenges linked to the transition to the new health financing model.

Audit reports have also, in recent months, exposed fund misappropriation at SHA, with fraudulent claims being a main challenge to the national health insurer.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has dismissed claims that it spent Ksh100 million to transport thousands of delegates to its recent National Delegates Conference (NDC) held in Nairobi on Friday, March 27.

In a statement on Sunday, March 29, ODM Director of Campaigns and Elections Junet Mohamed accused The Standard Group of publishing misleading information regarding the number of delegates and the alleged costs incurred.

“We wish to categorically state that these allegations are false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and diminish the credibility of our party,” he said.

Junet further challenged the figures reported, pointing to the party’s constitutional provisions and criticized the media house for what he described as irresponsible reporting.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the ODM Constitution is explicit on the composition of the National Delegates Conference. The required number of accredited delegates is 3,000; any figure above this is illegal. It therefore begs the question: where did the figure of 6,000 delegates come from?

“Such exaggerations are not only inaccurate but point to a reckless disregard for facts by a media house that is increasingly gaining a reputation for publishing propaganda,” he added.

Reaffirming the party’s operational structure and funding mechanisms, Mohamed emphasized ODM’s adherence to legal and constitutional frameworks.

“ODM is a national, democratic movement with established structures across all 47 counties. Our internal processes, including delegates’ conferences, are conducted within the framework of our constitution and supported through legitimate party mechanisms, including funding from our members and allocations from the Political Parties Fund as provided for by law,” he continued.

Junet also condemned attempts to frame the conference in a negative light.

“The attempt to reduce a significant national political event into a narrative of regional mobilization and financial impropriety is not only irresponsible but also indicative of a broader agenda to mischaracterize ODM’s identity and strength. 

“Even where the Standard appears intent on holding brief for our political competitors, it must, at the very least, do so with some semblance of ethics and fidelity to the truth,” he further said.

Turning to the outcomes of the conference, ODM urged members to focus on its resolutions.

“We urge our members and the public to remain focused on the substantive outcomes of the National Delegates Conference. The party, in a historic and unanimous decision, ratified Oburu Oginga as Party Leader following the passing of our Founding Leader, Raila Odinga,” he stated.

Junet defended coalition politics as a longstanding and legitimate strategy within Kenya’s political landscape.

“Coalition building is neither new nor unusual in Kenyan politics. ODM has consistently demonstrated political maturity and pragmatism in forging alliances across the political divide in the interest of national stability and progress. From past engagements with previous administrations to evolving political configurations, our approach has always been guided by the broader objective of delivering for the people of Kenya,” he noted.

Junet concluded by addressing speculation about potential political engagements, including with President William Ruto.

“In this context, any ongoing or prospective engagement with President William Ruto must be understood within the same framework of advancing national interests. However, let it be clear: ODM is an equal stakeholder in any political arrangement. We are not subordinate to any individual or formation. We bring to the table a formidable national constituency, deep institutional structures, and a clear ideological orientation grounded in social justice and economic transformation,” he concluded.

Notably, during the NDC, ODM named its new leadership.

Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga was confirmed as the ODM Party Leader after the delegates voted in his favour.

The exercise was led by Junet, who asked the delegates to deliberate on names forwarded to the National Executive Council to occupy top positions.

Oburu’s name was proposed for the party leadership by Mumias West MP Johnson Naicca and was seconded by AntonyTom Oluoch.

“As many of the opinion say aye! As many of the contrary opinions say nay! The ayes have it! Dr. Senator Oburu Odinga is the party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement,” Junet declared.

Oburu was presented with the instruments of power: the Constitution of Kenya, the ODM party constitution, and a wooden walking stick.

The delegates also voted Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Kisii Governor Simba Arati as Deputy Party Leaders.

Senator Geoffrey Osotsi was removed from his position as Deputy Party Leader after he lacked both a proposer and a seconder for him to retain his seat.

Gladys Wanga explained that the vacancies left would not be filled during the Special NDC as the voting was not part of the agenda for the day.