Speaking on Sunday, March 29, at the ACK Diocese of Kirinyaga in Ndia Constituency, Gachagua delivered a chilling assessment of the situation, hinting at information that suggests the system may already be under severe strain behind the scenes.
“I have information that SHA will collapse in six months and we will have a crisis in the health sector,” he told congregants, his remarks drawing concern over the stability of the government-backed health insurer.
According to Gachagua, health facilities across the country, particularly faith-based institutions, are struggling to stay afloat as unpaid claims continue to pile up.
“Today, as we speak, our hospitals, especially the faith-based hospitals, are owed Ksh90 billion and are almost shutting down,” he said.
The former Deputy President warned that the situation could quickly spiral out of control, potentially triggering a chain reaction that could cripple healthcare services nationwide. In a rare and pointed advisory, he urged hospitals to take a firm stand in the face of the mounting debt.
“I want to give advice to our hospitals. If SHA collapses, all our hospitals will collapse. Our hospitals should demand the release of the Ksh90 billion before they render services,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when pressure has been quietly building around SHA, with reports indicating the authority is grappling with massive arrears running into tens of billions of shillings, including debts carried over from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund.
SHA remains a cornerstone of the President William Ruto-led regime’s plan to deliver universal health coverage.
However, Gachagua’s warning now casts a long shadow over its future, raising urgent questions about whether the system can withstand the growing financial strain or if the country is inching closer to a healthcare breakdown.