By Michelle Ndaga
The Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Ministry of Health have refuted reports circulating online that Sh20 million was paid to a non-existent health facility.
In a joint statement on Friday, SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi clarified that the funds in question Sh19,998,720 were legitimately disbursed to Nyandiwa Level 4 Hospital in Gwassi, Suba South, Homa Bay County.
The hospital, which has been operational since the 1970s, was formerly known as Nyandiwa Dispensary before its official upgrade to a Level 4 facility. “The confusion arose because the hospital retained its old account name, ‘Nyandiwa Dispensary,’ even after its upgrade.
Nyandiwa Level 4 is a functional and contracted facility that continues to offer services to the public,” Dr. Mwangangi explained.
She dismissed claims of a “ghost facility,” noting that SHA does not make payments to uncontracted or non-existent hospitals.
All transactions, she said, undergo strict validation and auditing before disbursement.
According to SHA, Nyandiwa Level 4 Hospital has since received Sh751,504 under the Primary Health Care Fund and Sh82,080,706 under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) since October 2024—figures confirmed by the hospital itself.
The clarification comes a day after SHA announced the release of Sh3.4 billion to 2,048 hospitals nationwide under SHIF claims, alongside Sh1.09 billion from the Primary Health Care Fund.
A further Sh1.7 billion covering dialysis, oncology, and surgical services is being processed, with facility-level details published on SHA’s website for transparency.
Reaffirming their commitment to accountability, SHA and the Ministry of health urged the media and the public to verify information before spreading claims that could undermine ongoing health financing reforms.
“The Authority remains steadfast in ensuring that every shilling reaches the right facility and supports Kenyans’ access to quality healthcare,” the statement concluded.
