Kenya: Hospitals Risk Social Health Authority Lockout As Contracts

What the report says

Kenyan hospitals and other healthcare facilities face a possible shutdown from the Social Health Authority’s provider system if they do not finish contracting requirements for the new 2026-2029 cycle, according to Capital FM’s report distributed by AllAfrica. The notice, issued by SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi, says existing contracts are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2026, after which facilities without an executed new contract would no longer be able to serve SHA beneficiaries.

The authority also said access to the SHA provider portal would be switched off for noncompliant providers, raising concern about interruptions for patients who rely on those facilities. SHA asked hospitals to complete the process before October 1 and advised facilities that fail to secure new contracts to arrange transfers for patients already in treatment so care can continue elsewhere.

The contracting exercise is part of SHA’s transition to a new electronic system launched earlier this month. The Ministry of Health says the framework, known as HAKIKA, is meant to improve contracting, verification, payment and accountability between SHA and providers. The new contracts cover several public health financing streams, including primary care, social health insurance, emergency services and funds for chronic and critical illness. In broader context, such contract renewals can affect access to care if providers do not meet administrative deadlines, especially for patients needing ongoing treatment.