Government Details Ksh92.5B Health Facility Payments Under New Financing Framework
By Chemtai Kirui
Nairobi, Jan 26 — The government has issued a breakdown of Ksh92.5 billion paid to health facilities under Kenya’s new national health financing framework, following public concern over delayed reimbursements after the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
In a statement on Sunday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the payments were made to public, private and faith-based health facilities contracted to deliver services under the new system anchored on the Social Health Authority (SHA).
According to the Ministry of Health, 10,272 health facilities across the country have so far been contracted and are actively participating in service delivery under the framework.
Duale said clinical review and verification of submitted claims is ongoing, describing the process as rigorous and necessary to ensure accuracy, value for money and compliance with established guidelines before payments are approved.
Of the total amount disbursed, Ksh75 billion was paid through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to support access to essential and specialized healthcare services. An additional Ksh13 billion was released under the Primary Health Care (PHC) framework to support frontline and preventive health services.
The ministry also disbursed Ksh3.5 billion under the Public Officers Medical Scheme, while Ksh1 billion was paid to the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, which supports life-saving interventions.
The government did not provide a county-by-county breakdown of the payments, saying disbursements were made based on submitted and verified claims from contracted facilities.
The clarification comes amid concerns from health workers and facility managers over delayed reimbursements that have disrupted service delivery in some public hospitals.
Health workers’ unions have previously warned that delayed payments affect procurement of medicines, payment of suppliers and staff morale.
Duale said the government remains committed to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources, adding that the ministry will continue engaging stakeholders and providing updates as clinical reviews progress and outstanding claims are settled in line with the law.
The payments form part of the government’s broader efforts to stabilize the rollout of Universal Health Coverage, which aims to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs and expand access to essential health services.
As implementation of the new financing framework continues, attention is expected to focus on whether regular and predictable disbursements can be maintained and how quickly improvements will be felt at health facilities.
