Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has rejected reports alleging that the Social Health Authority (SHA) disbursed funds to non-existent health facilities.

Speaking on Tuesday, Duale said most of the facilities flagged on social media had already been closed, suspended, or downgraded as early as May.

He urged Kenyans to verify such information through the regulator’s website instead of relying on online claims.

“What Kenyans on social media are telling us is information we already have,” he said, adding that genuine whistleblowers continue to help forensic auditors uncover irregularities.

The CS noted that regulatory action had particularly affected facilities in Mandera, Homa Bay, Kisii, Wajir, Nairobi, Bungoma, and Kisumu counties. He reiterated that the ministry is committed to tackling fraud while delivering free, affordable, and accessible healthcare.

Duale revealed that Sh9 billion has already been paid out for primary healthcare services, with a further Sh7.7 billion and Sh1.3 billion awaiting Treasury disbursement.

The clarification follows a recent case involving Nyandiwa Level 4 Hospital in Homa Bay County, where media reports suggested nearly Sh20 million had been paid to a “ghost” facility.

SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi explained that the hospital, operational since the 1970s, retained its old account name “Nyandiwa Dispensary” even after being upgraded. She said this may have caused confusion with another facility of a similar name in Kasipul constituency, which has no SHA account.

“The Sh19,998,720 represents legitimate, accumulated claims processed under strict verification protocols,” she said, dismissing photos of an abandoned building circulated online as unrelated to SHA contracts.

Mwangangi stressed that all disbursements undergo rigorous checks to safeguard public resources.