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Maraga defends remarks on SHA scandal
27th August, 2025 07:40 AM
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has defended his strong remarks on the ongoing scandal at the Social Health Authority (SHA), insisting that accountability must be enforced over the theft of public funds through ghost medical facilities.
In a statement shared on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Maraga said that his concerns were not exaggerated, pointing out that revelations of ghost health facilities being used to siphon money confirm what had earlier been raised during a press conference.
He outlined firm steps that should be taken to restore public trust in the institution, starting with an independent forensic audit of SHA and the actions of the Medical Council.
In addition, the former CJ described these measures as non-negotiable,saying Kenyans deserved accountability and justice in the management of public resources.
“This confirms the statement we made during the press conference about the stealing of public funds through ghost medical facilities: The next steps must be: – To conduct an independent forensic audit of SHA, as well as the actions of the Medical Council,” Maraga said.
“Those who have colluded to defraud Kenyans must face the full force of the law. Culpability should no longer hide behind titles or offices. – Monies lost MUST be recovered, and those responsible MUST be prosecuted and not protected. – SHA, with its digitised systems, must expose the fraudsters, and its Board and Management must themselves be held liable. This is not negotiable.”
Maraga vs Duale
This comes after Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale came out guns blazing to slam Maraga over his SHA remarks.
Through a post on his official X account on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Duale regretted that the former CJ had resorted to what he termed as “sensationalism” in linking the Ministry of Health and SHA to ghost hospitals and website manipulation.
“It is unfortunate that a respected former Chief Justice who has dedicated his life to interpreting the law has resorted to sensationalism by falsely claiming that the Social Health Authority (SHA) pulled down its payment list,” Duale said.
“This is misleading and aimed at causing unnecessary panic.”
The CS insisted that SHA had not pulled down its payments portal, noting that the authority continues to publish data on disbursements to health facilities “as part of its firm commitment to transparency and the fight against fraud.”
He further clarified that the mandate of registering health facilities rests with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and not the SHA.
“For clarity, it is the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), not SHA or MoH, that is legally mandated to keep the official register of health facilities. This register is publicly accessible,” he added.
Maraga on audit
Maraga, during a press briefing on August 26, 2025, accused state officials of presiding over “systemic failures” that allowed billions of taxpayer funds to be siphoned to ghost hospitals while ordinary Kenyans continue to suffer.
“The betrayal of the Kenyan people by those entrusted to safeguard their health will no longer be tolerated. Those who have colluded to defraud the nation, regardless of title or office, must face the full force of the law,” Maraga said.
Maraga further demanded an independent forensic audit of SHA to trace all funds under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the Primary Care Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF).
“The Kenyan people deserve to know where their money has gone and who has benefited,” he insisted.
