The controversy sorrounding the Social Health Authority (SHA) seems to be far from over. Apart from complaints about the system not working, reports have emerged that the system is not owned by the Kenyan government.
According to the current auditor general Nancy Gathungu, the government doesnt own or have control of the Ksh104.8 billion health system.
Interestingly, if not sad, the government is prohibited from developing a competing system. Clause 12.4 of the contract also dictate that revenues must be transferred to an escrow account on a daily or weekly basis.
Responding to these concerns raised by radio host Maina Kageni, Ruto chief economic advisor stated on X the “UHC digital platform is fully outsourced”. He went on to add that patients pay Ksh50 per hospital visit.
“The UHC digital platform is fully outsourced. GoK has not spent one Ksh on it. Sh104b is user fees payable over 10yr contract period. For comparison we paid Safaricom Sh77b mpesa fees last year. The platform will provide similar capability at Sh10b/year ~Sh50 per hospital visit”, he clarified on X.
He went on to add that NHIF was too expensive to run compared to SHA,
“SHA software is only one of the components. SHA SaaS will cost Sh2.3b ie Sh230m per year. NHIF was spending Sh450m/year. The software services also includes HMIS for 7000+ public health facilities + data transmission services (from Safaricom😊) and infrastructure.”
