The Social Health Authority (SHA) Board has placed acting CEO Elijah Wachira on compulsory leave effective immediately and set to last for 90 days.
SHA Board Chairman Abdi Mohamed announced the leave mandate through a memo on Tuesday. To maintain SHA’s operations, Mohaned appointed Robert Ingasira, SHA’s Financial Services Director, as acting CEO during Wachira’s absence.
“This is to inform you of the board’s resolution to send you on compulsory leave effective immediately for a period of 90 days to allow for further investigations into your professional conduct and performance as Acting Chief Executive Officer of SHA,” stated the memo in part.
While on leave, Wachira will continue to receive his current salary and benefits. The SHA Board noted that this decision reflects ongoing challenges tied to SHA’s transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), particularly around SHA’s ability to manage debts owed to healthcare providers.
Pending Bills and Healthcare Challenges Prompt Board Action
One of the SHA’s primary goals has been to clear outstanding bills, which are seen as crucial for fulfilling SHA’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The board reported that 50 percent of the Sh19 billion in unpaid bills had already been cleared in under a month, a significant milestone for SHA since its inception.
However, SHA leaders expressed serious concern over how funds have been allocated. Board minutes from the recent meeting reveal allegations that Wachira prioritized Sh1.6 billion for private facility payments over public hospitals, which contradicts SHA’s goal of supporting public healthcare providers first.
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“It becomes a significant concern when the Acting CEO, Elijah Wachira, makes choices that go against SHA’s objectives, putting healthcare services at risk despite SHA’s priority to support public health facilities,” the board noted.
The compulsory leave aims to facilitate an in-depth probe into Elijah Wachira’s professional conduct and management of SHA’s responsibilities.
Second Major SHA Leadership Change in Two Months
This leadership shift follows closely on the heels of another recent change at SHA. Two months ago, SHA’s former board chairman, Dr. Timothy Olweny, was removed from office before SHA’s official launch, raising eyebrows regarding SHA’s internal leadership dynamics.
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Wachira who is a veteran in the insurance sector and former Managing Director of CIC General, was appointed NHIF CEO last October after a highly competitive selection process. His experience positioned him as a strong candidate to lead SHA through this critical transition period.
