Kenyans Question Government’s Latest Health System Transition as Aden Duale Announces SHA-HMIS Shift

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced significant progress in the transition from the Social Health Authority (SHA) provider portal to the Health Management Information System (HMIS), a move that has sparked questions among Kenyans already concerned about the government’s frequent changes in public health administration.

According to Duale, all 6,427 public Level 2–4 health facilities across the country have successfully transitioned to the new system.

However, the government has granted an additional one-month extension to public Level 5 and 6 hospitals, faith-based organisation (FBO) facilities, and private health facilities to complete the transition.

During this extension period, the Digital Health Agency (DHA) will conduct Rapid Results Initiatives (RRI) to support the affected facilities and ensure they successfully migrate to HMIS.

Duale further assured Kenyans that patients will continue receiving medical services even in facilities that have not completed the transition, insisting that the ongoing process will not interrupt access to healthcare.

Despite the government’s assurances, the announcement has triggered wider public frustration over what some Kenyans perceive as a pattern of repeatedly changing government systems, names and administrative structures without adequately addressing the financial burden on ordinary citizens.