Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has gone bare-knuckle at his Nandi counterpart, Samson Cherargei, challenging him to provide proof of personal treatment under SHA if he truly believed the system was working.
Speaking during a heated Senate debate on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Sifuna criticised fellow lawmakers for defending SHA without having used it themselves. He insisted that the true measure of the authority’s success should come from ordinary citizens, not politicians.
“I see my colleagues proudly declaring that SHA is working. From my observation, if SHA was working, it’s the wananchi who would tell us, not you leaders. None of you goes for treatment and uses SHA,” Sifuna said.
Adding;
“So if you’re claiming SHA is working, stand and show us when you received treatment under SHA.”
NHIF staff
On the issue of staffing, Sifuna accused some leaders of double standards. He claimed that while they publicly supported retaining former NHIF employees, they voted against amendments that would have guaranteed those workers a fair transition to SHA.
“When we discussed this Bill, I pushed for NHIF staff not to be kicked out. I proposed that they go through fresh interviews to continue serving. But the same leaders shouting the loudest today voted against including that clause. That is hypocrisy,” the Senator declared.
The firebrand politician further claimed that the ongoing interviews for SHA positions were not genuine and that the recruitment process was flawed.
“I have sources inside SHA who tell me these interviews are just for show. The people getting hired are already known,” he added.
Cherargei had defended SHA in the proceedings, saying the authority is already operational and helping Kenyans. He gave an example of his recent visit to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, where he saw patients from different backgrounds being treated under SHA.
“I was in one of my local hospitals over the weekend, and I saw SHA working. Kenyans from all walks of life were receiving treatment. Those who were opposed to SHA earlier have now changed their tune. It’s working, though not yet fully effective, but we are making progress,” he remarked.
Cherargei also opposed subjecting former NHIF workers to another round of recruitment, arguing it was unnecessary and unfair.
“It is unfair to subject them to a double recruitment process. The easy solution is to let them retain their jobs within SHA for a smooth transition,” he said.
Staffing
The fiery exchange came just days after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced new measures to support the transition from NHIF to SHA. In a statement on May 23, 2025, Duale said former NHIF staff would remain in service under SHA for the next six months, or until recruitment is complete.
“Following a consultative meeting with the Public Service Commission and SHA leadership, we agreed that all former NHIF staff will continue to serve under SHA for an additional six months or until SHA completes its recruitment,” Duale said.
He confirmed that those who had requested transfers to other public institutions would be redeployed immediately, with the process beginning next week.
“These resolutions are meant to ensure legal compliance, organisational stability, and continued service delivery as we transition to a better health system under the Universal Health Coverage framework,” Duale stated.
The ministry also pledged to improve digital health systems across counties, increase funding for emergency and chronic care, and speed up payments for community health promoters. Duale emphasised the importance of accountability, integrity, and partnerships with counties as key pillars for the success of the Taifa Care programme.
