A total of 250 health facilities are under investigation by the DCI

A total of 250 health facilities are under investigation by the DCI
The Ministry of Health has announced the closure of 12 health facilities across the country since March 30 as part of an intensified crackdown on fraud within the Social Health Authority (SHA) programme.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the affected facilities were shut down over suspected fraudulent activities, including double billing and filing claims for services that were never provided.

“Since March 30, 12 facilities have been shut down over alleged fraud, with 24 currently under forensic audit and 250 under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations,” Duale said.

He added that the closures are part of a wider nationwide probe targeting what he described as “perennial health fraud zones,” where irregular claims have been consistently reported under the SHA system.

According to the CS, 30 case files have so far been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, while 18 facilities are already facing charges in court.

In total, more than 1,000 health facilities have been closed in connection with fraudulent activities linked to public health funds.

“In total, over 1,000 facilities have been closed. Reaffirming my mandate to deliver Universal Health Coverage, I declare zero tolerance for the misuse of public health funds and underscore my commitment to safeguarding every cent meant for the care of Kenyans,” Duale stated.

The CS spoke in Garissa during the 3rd graduation ceremony at Hawa Kosar Islamic Centre, where 25 young women were celebrated for completing their Islamic Studies programme at the high school level.

Religious and political leaders, including Garissa County Commissioner Ramadhan Mwabudzo and several Members of the County Assembly, attended the event.

Investigations into the alleged fraud have revealed a pattern of malpractice among some health facilities, including inflating claims and billing for services not rendered in a bid to siphon funds from the SHA system.

In some cases, facilities are suspected of colluding with insiders within SHA to facilitate the processing of fraudulent claims.

Duale singled out five counties, Bungoma County, Kisii County, Homa Bay County, Mandera County and Wajir County, as leading in suspicious and fictitious medical claims. He warned that facilities operating in these regions would face heightened scrutiny as investigations intensify.

The Ministry further disclosed that in September 2025, it handed over 1,188 case files and supporting evidence to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to facilitate further investigations and potential prosecutions.

To strengthen accountability and enforcement, Duale announced the formation of a multi-agency investigation team bringing together officers from the DCI, the Ministry of Health, the Social Health Authority, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council and the Digital Health Agency.