Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has been exposed as hopelessly uninformed about the operations of Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA), with damning revelations showing that businessman Jayesh Saini has been running the country’s healthcare system from behind the scenes.
As hospitals turn away patients over unpaid government reimbursements and Kenyans decry unjust deductions, Barasa remains unable to provide clear answers, instead offering vague and evasive responses that reinforce concerns about her competence.
Tycoon Jayesh Saini. Photo: The Star Source: Facebook
Despite holding the top health docket, CS Barasa appears to be in the dark about SHA’s operations, raising concerns over who is truly in charge.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s report has laid bare the shocking reality that the government does not own the SHA digital platform, with a private entity led by Saini pulling the strings.
Appearing before the Senate, Barasa failed to provide clarity on SHA’s ownership and the alleged illegal deductions from Kenyans’ salaries.
“I believe the president addressed that yesterday… the president addressed that yesterday,” she said, dodging a direct response.
Businessman Jayesh Saini during a past event. Photo: NTV Kenya Source: Facebook
Lawmakers pressed her further, with Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah questioning how Universal Health Coverage (UHC) could be funded through premiums instead of taxes, as per international standards.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka noted that Barasa seemed “completely lost” and requested that she be given more time to prepare.
Kitui Senator Enock Wambua was equally unimpressed. “I am completely underwhelmed by the responses from the CS. She needs to appear before a full House committee,” he said.
Adani-JKIA deal whistleblower. Photo: NTV Kenya Source: X
Whistleblower reports claim that Jayesh Saini, a private tycoon, is effectively managing Kenya’s health system from his Museum Hill offices while government officials remain clueless.
Saini’s grip on SHA, including its financial operations and digital platform, has fueled allegations of corruption and impunity.
Lawmakers, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, have called for SHA and SHIF to be declared criminal enterprises.
Ministry of Health CS Deborah Mulongo. Photo: Citizen Digital Source: Facebook
“Can we terminate SHA and SHIF altogether? It seems to benefit only a few individuals,” Sifuna argued.
With healthcare facilities turning away patients due to unpaid government reimbursements and workers protesting salary deductions, Kenyans are left wondering who is really running their health system?
