Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has taken Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to task over the non-operational CyberKnife radiotherapy equipment at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) and the challenges posed by the new Social Health Authority (SHA) regarding bulk contributions for vulnerable groups.
Speaking in Parliament, Mukunji expressed deep concern that the advanced cancer treatment machine, launched by President William Ruto in 2023, had yet to begin service due to the absence of qualified technicians.
“I was shocked last week when a friend called to inform me that her husband, who has cancer, couldn’t access treatment because the CyberKnife machine is idle—not because it’s faulty, but because there’s no one to run it,” said Mukunji.
The equipment offers non-invasive and targeted cancer treatment.
The MP added that health insurance systems like SHA cannot function effectively if hospitals are not adequately equipped.
Mukunji, who also chairs the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA), also raised concerns over SHA’s refusal to accept bulk or group contributions, unlike its predecessor, NHIF.
He said this has hindered his ability to support vulnerable constituents through NG-CDF funding.
“During the NHIF era, I used to allocate funds from the NG-CDF to pay health cover for the most vulnerable. Now with SHA, group contributions are no longer accepted. Teachers and other professionals are turning to private covers despite contributing directly to the government scheme,” he said.
He recounted feedback from teachers during a session of the Constitutional Oversight and Implementation Committee, where they disclosed receiving letters stating that SHA could not handle group payments.
“Hon. Speaker, I would like the Waziri to clarify the bulk payment mechanism under SHA, especially for groups like teachers, and how their contributions translate into benefits,” Mukunji demanded.
In response, CS Duale acknowledged the issues around indigent support and the need for better coordination.
“On indigence, I agree with you. How do we assess, like you did during NHIF? Right now, anyone willing to support must go through a needs assessment. You may give us Sh10,000, but the needs are different—some might need Sh0, others Sh100, Sh300, or even Sh800. That’s why we need you to identify the people you wish to support so we can align our efforts,” said Duale.
He added that SHA is keen on collaborating with sponsors at both the county and national levels to support the most vulnerable segments of the community.
Duale also cited Mombasa County as a model of effective collaboration under the leadership of Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.
“In Mombasa, leaders came together under Governor Shariff and put aside political differences to support the SHA program, and we applaud him,” he said.
During the session, Hon. Duale presented a detailed report on SHA’s implementation progress, revealing that 21.3 million Kenyans have already registered.
He emphasized that the new SHA health benefits package is more comprehensive and equitable than what was offered under the former NHIF scheme.
The CS reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the full rollout of the Taifa Care Model in alignment with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms. Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, and other senior officials from the Ministry.
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