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SHA to pay claims on first-in-first-out basis – MoH
30th September, 2025 11:02 PM
The Aden Duale-led Ministry of Health on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, announced that Social Health Authority (SHA) claims will now be paid on a first-come-first-served basis.
In a press statement after a meeting with the leadership of Faith-Based Organisations, the ministry said policies have been put in place to fast-track disbursements and strengthen the push towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
“SHA shall endeavour to pay all claims on a first-in-first-out basis, adhering to the 90-day contractual period,” the statement read.
Earlier, the ministry released Ksh3.4 billion to hospitals across Kenya under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Delayed claims concerns
The announcement comes at a time when Kenyans and health providers have been raising concerns about delayed payments.
Members of the Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) have complained that many hospitals were on their knees because reimbursements took too long to arrive.
They sounded the alarm that private and faith-based hospitals may shut down by December if the government fails to clear billions in outstanding debts.
Patients were also left stranded in several facilities following frequent system outages and delays in claim approvals. In some cases, families reported losing loved ones due to the setbacks.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale praised the role of Faith-Based Organisations in delivering health services to Kenyans, especially in remote and underserved areas.
“Faith-Based Organisations have been instrumental in reaching communities that would otherwise be left behind,” he said.
Support for faith-based facilities
The ministry noted that so far, 3,386 facilities have been registered under the Digital Health Agency out of a target of 6,500.
To support the faith-based sector, 100 gadgets have already been supplied and officers trained on how to use the system.
In addition, FBOs were asked to submit a list of needy remote facilities so that more devices can be distributed to improve service delivery.
They were also urged to use their churches and mosques to set up SHA registration desks and help mobilise more Kenyans into the programme.
The ministry assured that relationship managers will be assigned to every facility and joint clinics will be held regularly to improve accountability.
It also pledged to continue addressing all concerns raised by health providers.
The resolutions now give hope to hospitals and patients alike, with expectations high that payments will finally flow more smoothly under the new arrangement.
