Concerns have emerged over how the Social Health Authority is being run, with Rural Private Health Association chairperson Brian Lishenga openly criticizing Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
He argues that instead of allowing the institution’s executives to take charge, the CS has taken over their responsibilities, leaving little room for independent leadership.
This has raised questions about whether the authority is being given the space it needs to function effectively.
During a media interview on September 3, 2025, Lishenga expressed frustration at how SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi has been sidelined.
He claimed that her role has been reduced to attending press conferences alongside the CS rather than leading the authority as expected.
According to him, the board and the CEO should be the ones driving SHA’s agenda, yet Duale appears to be taking over their mandate by making public statements on their behalf.
He wondered aloud when the Cabinet Secretary would step back and allow professionals to carry out the duties they were appointed to perform.
Lishenga also pointed out that Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga has suffered the same fate, saying he has been turned into a personal assistant for the CS.
Instead of focusing on policy and operational matters, Oluga is allegedly tied down to the minister’s schedule.
For Mwangangi, Lishenga noted that her work has become limited to standing beside the CS in press briefings rather than handling the substantive issues within the authority.
This, he argued, is weakening the ability of SHA to function as an independent body with clear leadership.
Beyond leadership interference, Lishenga painted a picture of an institution struggling with capacity. He described SHA as a ghost house that remains largely empty despite being an operational authority.
According to him, the authority currently has no directors, and only recently did recruitment efforts begin to fill critical positions.
He questioned how such an important institution could be expected to deliver on its mandate without a proper structure and adequate staffing.
The concerns raised touch on deeper issues of governance in the health sector.
The risk is that professionals with the necessary expertise are not being given room to lead, which could slow down the implementation of key reforms.
Lishenga’s remarks suggest a growing frustration among stakeholders who expect SHA to work independently from the Ministry.
With the institution meant to play a central role in health reforms, its weak state raises fears that the broader agenda may stall if leadership challenges are not addressed.
The debate around Duale’s role in SHA will likely continue, with many watching to see whether the CS will step back and let the executives carry out their work.
The authority remains in the spotlight, facing both leadership and staffing questions that could affect its effectiveness in delivering health services to Kenyans.
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