After successfully undergoing vetting by the National Assembly committee, former Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi officially assumed office as the Chief Executive Officer of the Social Health Authority (SHA) on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
She takes over from Robert Ingasira, who has been serving in an acting capacity.
The handover ceremony was presided over by the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Health confirmed the transition, noting that Mwangangi had formally taken up her new role at the helm of the SHA.
The ministry praised her background and experience, expressing confidence in her leadership.
”Mercy Mwangangi has officially assumed office as the chief executive officer of the State Health Agency (SHA), succeeding Robert Ingasira, who served in an acting capacity. The handover ceremony was officiated by the State Department for Medical Services Principal Secretary, Dr Ouma Oluga,” MOH said in a statement posted on social media.
During the ceremony, Dr Oluga urged the authority to establish a strong operational framework that would improve health outcomes and ensure that Kenyans can access quality healthcare services.
He emphasised that the right to health and the full rollout of Universal Health Coverage must remain central to the agency’s work.
He further called on the SHA and the broader Ministry of Health team to foster a culture of discipline, hard work, and commitment to delivering exemplary service to the public.
“Dr Oluga urged the agency to provide a strong framework that advances improved health outcomes, including the right to health and universal health coverage. He also emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of discipline, hard work, and prioritising exemplary service delivery,” MOH further stated.
Dr Oluga also pledged the ministry’s full support to SHA, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the Universal Health Coverage agenda.
“The Principal Secretary pledged full support to SHA to ensure the successful implementation of Universal Health Coverage.”
Mwangangi’s appointment
Dr Mercy Mwangangi was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA) on April 11, 2025, by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, following a competitive recruitment process involving 92 applicants, with 12 shortlisted for interviews.
She became the first female CEO in the institution’s nearly 60-year history, succeeding Robert Ingasira, who had served in an acting capacity after the suspension of Elijah Wachira in November 2024.
Mwangangi, a health financing and policy expert with over 15 years of experience, previously served as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) at the Ministry of Health.
She rose to national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for her calm and empathetic public briefings.
She has also held positions as Senior Health Systems Strengthening Director at AMREF Health Africa and Chairperson of the Pumwani Hospital Board, a role she was appointed to by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in April 2023.
Her appointment is seen as a milestone for gender representation and health sector reform, with expectations that she will address SHA’s ongoing challenges and advance the agenda of universal health coverage.
