Editor's Review

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has extended the deadline for healthcare providers to complete their contracting requirements to December 31.

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has extended the deadline for healthcare providers to complete their contracting requirements to December 31, 2026.

In a statement on Thursday, October 15, the Authority said the extension pushes the transition period for existing healthcare provider contracts beyond the previous deadline of October 14.

"The Social Health Authority (SHA) informs all healthcare providers that the transition period for existing healthcare provider contracts, previously scheduled to lapse on 14th October 2026, has been further extended to 31st December 2026," the statement read.

SHA said the extension would allow healthcare facilities to address outstanding requirements and resolve challenges encountered during the contracting process without disrupting service delivery to beneficiaries.

"The extension provides facilities with additional time to complete outstanding contracting requirements, address challenges encountered during the process and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services to SHA beneficiaries," the statement added.

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According to SHA, under the revised arrangement, existing contracts covering the 2024-2026 period will remain in force throughout the extension. 

The new contracting cycle is scheduled to commence on January 1, 2027.

Healthcare providers have been urged to complete the contracting process and ensure their new contracts are signed and effective by December 31, 2026, ahead of the start of the new cycle.

SHA also reminded facilities that submitting the required documentation remains mandatory. 

The earlier moratorium on selected documents no longer applies, meaning providers must comply with the applicable documentation requirements to complete their contracts.

The authority further clarified that beneficiaries will continue accessing healthcare services at facilities with valid contracts during the extension period. 

File image of SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi

It added that valid claims lodged within this period would be honoured.

SHA said it would continue engaging healthcare providers and offering support to help facilities meet the revised deadline.

"During the extension period, SHA will continue working closely with healthcare providers/facilities to ensure a smooth and seamless contracting process. Further guidance and support will be provided through the ongoing HAKIKA contracting clinics at SHA County Offices," the statement further read.

Elsewhere, the Ministry of Health has dismissed claims that it has switched off Murang’a County’s Afya Ke Digital Health system. 

In a statement on Thursday, October 15, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the Ministry neither owns nor manages the system and does not have access to its source code.

"To set the record straight, the Ministry of Health has not switched off the Afya Ke system. The Ministry neither owns, controls, nor manages the system, nor does it have the source code, contrary to the allegations," he said. 

Duale claimed that the system is a private arrangement between the Murang'a County Government and the system’s developers

In response, Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang’ata said the .go.ke domain, which is used by the health system, is reserved for government entities and registered under the Treasury.

"All .go.ke domains are registered under Treasury nameservers," Governor Kang'ata responded.

A spot check by NairobiLeo.co.ke also confirmed that the .go.ke domains are registered under National Treasury nameservers.

At the same time, Duale dismissed claims that the Digital Health Agency (DHA) had refused to certify the system. 

Duale alleged that neither the developers nor the county government had submitted an application for certification.

"The Digital Health Agency (DHA) has also not refused to certify the Afya Ke system. Neither the Afya Ke developers nor Murang'a County has applied for certification," he said. 

Further, Duale said the Ministry of Health remains committed to supporting Murang’a and other county governments in advancing their digital health programmes.

"We wish to assure the public that all Social Health Authority (SHA) beneficiaries in Murang'a will continue to access healthcare services without interruption via the established SHA systems," he further said.