Kenya Minute.
Monday, 10 August 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 10 August 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Mercy Mwangangi

Also known as: Dr Mercy Mwangangi · SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi · Dr. Mercy Mwangangi

Mercy Mwangangi — CEO of the Social Health Authority, leading Universal Health Coverage implementation across Kenya's healthcare system.

2026-04-262026-08-10

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. The Standard

    The suspension, which took effect on June 23, 2026, was announced by SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi and affects services provided under the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHCF), Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF), and

    MP Shah: We will cooperate with SHA billing probe
  3. Citizen Digital

    In a statement signed by SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi, the authority said: "SHA wishes to clarify that a marriage certificate is not a requirement for accessing IVF services.

    Outcry as teacher seeking IVF is asked for marriage certificate, but SHA says it was an error
  4. The Standard

    SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi during the launch of biometric registration for dependents aged 7- 17 in Nairobi, on June 10th 2026.

    Why SHA wants hospitals not dispensing drugs punished
  5. May 2026
  6. The Standard

    Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi told the Senate Health Committee that Nairobi County leads with Sh3.8 billion worth of the rejected claims, with the legislators wondering what has been done to address the matter.

    Senators pressure SHA to explain criteria to reject Sh16b claims
  7. The Standard

    es and health centres). “All registered beneficiaries will have access to free delivery services at Level 2 and Level 3 primary healthcare facilities, on a walk-in, walk-out basis,” reads a section of the public notice, made by SHA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Mercy Mwangangi

    Free maternity care still unclear despite new SHA package
  8. Capital News

    an section procedures and newborn care will attract reimbursements of Sh30,000. “The enhancements mark a significant milestone in our commitment to Universal Health Coverage and leaving no Kenyan behind,” SHA said in the notice signed by Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi

    SHA Boosts Maternity and Cancer Care Funding in Major Universal Health Coverage Push
  9. The Standard

    "These enhancements mark a significant milestone in our commitment to universal health coverage and leaving no Kenyan behind," said Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi.The changes follow President William Ruto's directive during the 2025 State of the Nation Address and resolu

    SHA rolls out free maternity services in dispensaries, health centres
  10. April 2026
  11. The Standard

    o have been forced to pay cash at hospitals despite holding active cover under the scheme."Providers with whom tariffs are not successfully agreed will be notified of termination of the POMSF contract immediately," the notice, signed by SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi

    Hospitals risk losing govt contracts in SHA tariff showdown
Society

Government launches 922 emergency ambulance dispatch system

The News

President Ruto has launched the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre, a digital command centre at the Social Health Authority that links more than 600 accredited public and private ambulances into a single nationwide emergency response system accessible by dialling 922. The platform is designed to improve coordination of emergency medical services and disaster response across all 47 counties, with trained medical dispatchers using GPS technology to identify the nearest available ambulance.

5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Government launches 922 emergency ambulance dispatch system

    President Ruto has launched the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre, a digital command centre at the Social Health Authority that links more than 600 accredited public and private ambulances into a single nationwide emergency response system accessible by dialling 922. The platform is designed to improve coordination of emergency medical services and disaster response across all 47 counties, with trained medical dispatchers using GPS technology to identify the nearest available ambulance.

    5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 3 August

  1. SHA warns contracted hospitals against denying emergency care

    The Social Health Authority has directed all contracted healthcare providers to provide emergency medical care without discrimination based on ability to pay or benefit verification, threatening loss of accreditation for those who deny or delay treatment. The directive invokes Article 43(2) of the Constitution and addresses concerns over patients being asked for upfront payments before receiving urgent care.

    3 August 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 22 July

  1. SHA penalizes clinics failing to dispense prescribed medicines

    The Social Health Authority has announced a new reimbursement model that will reduce payments to contracted primary healthcare facilities that fail to dispense prescribed medicines, aiming to ensure patients receive the full range of services covered under the Primary Healthcare Fund. SHA will monitor each facility's medicine-dispensing rate through the Digital Health Agency platform and reimburse based on services delivered.

    22 July 2026 · Capital News

Thursday 9 July

  1. SHA, DHA, KEMSA convene to advance healthcare digitization

    The Principal Secretary for Medical Services chaired a meeting of the Healthcare IT Digitization Programme Steering Committee, bringing together the Safaricom Consortium, Digital Health Authority, Social Health Authority, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority and other agencies to review progress on Universal Health Coverage digital transformation and accelerate programme delivery.

    9 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 7 July

  1. SHA deploys fingerprint verification for child health insurance beneficiaries

    The Social Health Authority has introduced biometric fingerprint identification for registered children aged 7–17 to verify their identity at healthcare facilities and prevent fraud. Parents or guardians must consent to the capture, and alternative verification using contributor ID and one-time password is available where fingerprint capture is not possible.

    7 July 2026 · Capital News

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Public servants demand SHA reforms over healthcare access delays

    Public servants have called for urgent reforms to the Social Health Authority, citing delays in accessing treatment, lengthy pre-authorisation procedures, and biometric verification failures. They urged SHA to establish dedicated customer service desks, expand physical offices, publish monthly performance reports, and guarantee uninterrupted medical cover for retirees.

    1 July 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 30 June

  1. SHA mandates hospitals integrate digitally within three months

    The Social Health Authority has given healthcare providers three months to integrate with the Health Management Information System, with the SHA CEO warning that non-compliant facilities will face consequences. The move is part of Kenya's digital health transformation aimed at Universal Health Coverage.

    30 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Cabinet Secretary orders SHA to clear Sh4 billion NHIF legacy claims

    Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed the Social Health Authority to release Sh4 billion allocated to settle verified legacy debts owed to small healthcare facilities by the defunct NHIF within two weeks, after the SHA CEO said disbursements would begin in July.

    30 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 24 June

  1. SHA suspends MP Shah Hospital pending investigations

    The Social Health Authority has temporarily suspended MP Shah Hospital from its panel of contracted healthcare providers pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations. The suspension, effective June 23, 2026, affects critical services under multiple funds, though current patients may continue receiving care until discharge.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. SHA suspends MP Shah Hospital pending investigations

    The Social Health Authority has temporarily suspended MP Shah Hospital from its panel of contracted healthcare providers pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations, effective June 23, 2026. Patients already admitted will complete their care, but new admissions have been redirected to other SHA-contracted providers.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. MP Shah Hospital suspended pending SHA billing investigation

    M.P. Shah Hospital has been temporarily suspended from offering services under government-funded health insurance schemes following billing complaints, effective June 23, 2026. The hospital said it will cooperate with the Social Health Authority's investigation.

    24 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Teacher claims SHA demanded marriage proof for IVF coverage

    A high school teacher reported being asked to provide a marriage certificate before accessing IVF treatment under the Social Health Authority's new fertility coverage for teachers, sparking outcry over the requirement. SHA later stated the request was an error.

    17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Friday 12 June

  1. SHA to surcharge hospitals not dispensing prescribed drugs

    Starting Monday, hospitals accredited by the Social Health Authority to offer primary healthcare will face surcharges if they do not dispense prescribed drugs to patients after treating them.

    12 June 2026 · The Standard

Friday 15 May

  1. Senators demand SHA explain Sh16 billion claims rejection criteria

    The Social Health Authority has rejected Sh16 billion worth of claims since October 2024, with Nairobi County accounting for Sh3.8 billion of the rejections. CEO Mercy Mwangangi told the Senate Health Committee that Sh139.5 billion in payments have been made to health facilities as of April 30, while Sh31.5 billion in claims remain under review.

    15 May 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 13 May

  1. New SHA package clarifies maternity, sickle cell, cancer services

    Kenya's Health Cabinet Secretary has gazetted a new healthcare benefit package under the Social Health Act, 2023, that includes maternity, haematology, and oncology services. Patients with sickle cell anaemia say the allocations—such as Sh70,000 for red cell exchange, covered up to three times per policy period—remain unchanged and too low, with care limited to understaffed public hospitals.

    13 May 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 12 May

  1. SHA expands free maternity and cancer care coverage nationwide

    The Social Health Authority has expanded health benefit packages to include free maternity services at primary healthcare facilities and increased cancer treatment coverage, following directives from President Ruto and findings from public participation data. Facilities will receive Sh10,000 for normal delivery and Sh30,000 for caesarean sections.

    12 May 2026 · Capital News

Monday 11 May

  1. SHA launches free maternity services at dispensaries and health centres

    The Social Health Authority will provide free delivery services at Level 2 and Level 3 facilities, reimbursing them Sh10,000 for normal deliveries and Sh30,000 for caesarean sections, ending out-of-pocket costs for mothers. SHA also raised cancer benefit packages and expanded coverage for oncology consultations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and diagnostic services.

    11 May 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 26 April

  1. SHA threatens contract termination over new tariff negotiations

    The Social Health Authority has warned contracted healthcare providers that failure to agree on new tariffs under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund will result in immediate contract termination, with nationwide negotiations beginning Monday. During negotiations, providers must not charge POMSF beneficiaries out-of-pocket fees or co-payments, and talks are set to conclude within four weeks.

    26 April 2026 · The Standard

Mercy Mwangangi — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute