COTU threatens to quit SHA board over lack of autonomy

COTU Secretary General Dr. Francis Atwoli addressing workers during the 60th Labour Day Celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi on May 1, 2025[Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya) has threatened to withdraw from the Social Health Authority (SHA) board unless the agency is granted full autonomy.

COTU, in a statement on Tuesday, accused the Ministry of Health and the Digital Health Authority (DHA) of controlling SHA’s IT systems, limiting its independence.

The Francis Atwoli-led union said this arrangement has crippled SHA’s ability to verify and process hospital claims.

“I am painfully unable to explain to workers what is happening at SHA, considering that SHA is being used as a conveyor belt to process payments while it does not control the IT system aimed at addressing the very problems created by the defunct NHIF.”

“It is even more disturbing that even though SHA has its own independent Board which must be allowed to operate in line with its founding legislation, an amorphous entity, DHA, alongside the Ministry of Health, continue to make SHA play secondary to them,” said Atwoli.

Atwoli further said the arrangement erodes workers’ confidence in the scheme.

“Workers contribute faithfully to the Social Health Insurance with the understanding that SHA is fully in charge of their funds. It is, therefore, unacceptable that workers' hard-earned money is managed through an "amorphous" arrangement where DHA and MoH control critical systems,” he said.

He warned that COTU may reconsider its membership on the Board if the concerns are not addressed. “COTU has raised these concerns at the SHA Board level, and if no action is taken, we shall be forced to reconsider our position. Indeed, we are currently contemplating whether to continue sitting on a Board that has no authority or to withdraw entirely,” added Atwoli.

Last week, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale warned hospitals and doctors against filing fraudulent claims under SHA, saying offenders will be forced to refund money and face prosecution.

Duale said the ministry had begun recovering misused funds and urged Kenyans to report suspicious activity through SHA’s toll-free line, 147.