Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has moved to defend the Social Health Authority (SHA) following public backlash over remarks made by Garissa Governor Nadhif Jama in a widely circulated video involving a sick woman seeking assistance.
In the clip, the governor is seen handing the woman Sh1,000 and telling her, “hakuna mambo ya SHA hapa,” remarks that quickly ignited debate online over the effectiveness of the government’s flagship health insurance programme.
The video drew sharp criticism from some Kenyans, who interpreted the remarks as an admission that SHA was failing vulnerable patients.
“This is despeakable. What is Sh1,000 in this economy?” one social media user asked.
Another wrote: “Sh1000 is consultation only. Are these people so high that they have detached themselves from the reality on the ground?”
A third questioned the reliance on individual assistance instead of institutional solutions, saying: “When will they understand that we want working institutions not handouts?”
Others, however, defended the governor, arguing that his comments had been taken out of context.
One user maintained that the money was intended to help the woman travel to seek treatment rather than expect help at the governor’s office.
“So you guys will pretend there is no context here, that he says ‘nimekuambia mara mingi lakini hautaki kuskia … shika hii (hands the Sh1000) enda kwa Daktari Amal utibiwe, hakuna mambo ya SHA hapa’, so why are you guys twisting it? The Sh1000 is fare, and hakuna SHA kwa kiti,” the user wrote.
Amid the growing controversy, Duale issued a statement saying the ministry had taken note of public concern arising from the viral video and sought to reassure Kenyans that SHA remains fully operational.
“The ministry wishes to reaffirm that the Social Health Authority remains a key pillar of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and continues to facilitate access to healthcare services for millions of Kenyans across the country,” the statement said.
According to Duale, the discussion generated by the clip had raised questions about the status and effectiveness of SHA, prompting the ministry to clarify that the scheme remains committed to ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare services.
To support the position, Duale disclosed that Garissa county has received substantial funding under various SHA-linked programmes.
The figures show that the county received Sh1.264 billion through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Sh155.9 million under Primary Health Care (PHC), Sh10.2 million through the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF), and Sh220.8 million under the Programme for Management of Social Health Funds (POMSF).
The combined allocation amounts to approximately Sh1.65 billion.
“These resources are intended to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to quality medical services for the people of Garissa County,” the ministry said.
Duale also stressed that every Kenyan seeking healthcare deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect, regardless of their social or economic circumstances.
He said public confidence in ongoing healthcare reforms would only be strengthened through accurate information, empathy and responsible leadership.
The ministry further reiterated its commitment to working with county governments and other stakeholders to ensure healthcare services reach all Kenyans and that no citizen is left behind.
The statement comes as the government continues to defend SHA against criticism and implementation challenges since its rollout on October 1, 2024.
Supporters argue that the scheme is gradually expanding healthcare access while critics insist persistent service gaps must be addressed to restore public confidence.
