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Nyeri Town MP: Lawmakers to tour hospitals, to review SHA system
01st September, 2025 09:55 AM
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge has said Parliament will embark on hospital visits across the country to directly engage with patients, review infrastructure, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Social Health Authority (SHA) system.
Speaking on TV on Monday, September 1, 2025, Mathenge emphasised that the oversight tours are aimed at ensuring Kenyans receive quality healthcare in line with government reforms.
He assured that any medical facility duly registered and licensed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) is automatically eligible for contracting under SHA without undergoing additional procedures.
“We will be visiting hospitals to engage with patients, review infrastructure, and assess the SHA system. Any facility registered and licensed by KMPDC is eligible for contracting without additional procedures,” Mathenge stated.
Calls to tackle cartels in healthcare
At the same time, Eldas MP Adan Keynan stressed the importance of addressing deep-rooted corruption within the healthcare sector. He pointed out that cartels and fraudulent networks have long undermined service delivery, depriving Kenyans of reliable and affordable medical care.
“Cartels and fraudulent activities in hospitals must be dealt with firmly, free from political interference. Kenyans yearn for a seamless, effective, and reliable healthcare system,” Keynan said.
The legislator underscored that the success of SHA and other health reforms hinges on eliminating entrenched corruption and ensuring that resources meant for patients are not diverted by dishonest actors. He also urged state agencies and regulators to enforce accountability measures across the sector without fear or favouritism.
Mathenge, on his part, noted that beyond fighting corruption, the parliamentary hospital visits would provide an opportunity to gather first-hand experiences from patients and medical practitioners. This, he explained, would guide lawmakers in refining health policies to address systemic challenges such as understaffing, dilapidated infrastructure, and shortages of essential medicines.
Both MPs insisted that the government must remain committed to strengthening health systems at the county level, where most Kenyans access care. They agreed that public participation and accountability would be key pillars in achieving universal healthcare.
The Social Health Authority has already faced scrutiny, with reports of procurement irregularities, delays in payments to facilities, and allegations of political interference in staffing. These scandals have raised concerns about the institution’s credibility, making the parliamentary oversight visits even more critical in ensuring that the new healthcare framework delivers on its promise to Kenyans.
