RUPHA Warns Private Hospitals Could Shut Down by December Over Ksh76B Govt Debt
Kenya’s healthcare sector is staring at an unprecedented crisis. The Rural and Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has warned that over 3,000 private and faith-based hospitals could shut down by December 2025.
The reason? A staggering Ksh76 billion government debt owed under the defunct NHIF and the new Social Health Authority (SHA).
Hospitals Choked by Unpaid Bills
Speaking to NTV on Monday, September 8, RUPHA Chair Brian Lishenga sounded the alarm.
“The health sector cannot continue bearing this burden. Right now we are Ksh76 billion in debt. If this money is not paid, it is very likely that by December you will not have private hospitals where the majority of Kenyans go, or the entire system will revert to 100 per cent cash,” Lishenga warned.
He revealed that the government owes Ksh33 billion under NHIF and an additional Ksh43 billion under SHA.
Fears of Cash-Only System
Lishenga cautioned that many hospitals may soon abandon SHA and demand cash payments from patients.
“We are scared that SHA will collapse. If this is not sorted out, and hospitals start asking Kenyans to pay out of pocket, you will have a vicious cycle. Kenyans will be saying, ‘I have SHA, why am I being asked to pay out of pocket?’” he added.
Government Responds With Assurances
However, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has assured Kenyans that the government will clear all pending bills soon.
“Anybody with a pending bill of NHIF from Ksh1 million to Ksh10 million, which totals Ksh5.3 billion, accounting for 92 per cent of the entire NHIF bill, as a government under the directive of the president, we will pay it in the next two months,” he promised.
Independent Verification Ordered
Duale revealed that the government had set up an independent team, outside the Ministry of Health, to verify bills above Ksh10 million.
“These pending bills of the NHIF are why we had to close NHIF and start SHA. It was a den of graft, where patients’ money was stolen. That was immoral and unconstitutional, and we will not allow it to continue,” the CS stated firmly.
Uncertain Future for Kenyans
Despite the government’s promise, Kenyans remain deeply worried. If hospitals close, millions of families will be forced to pay cash or risk losing access to care.
Healthcare workers fear job losses. Parents fear for their children. Patients fear being turned away.
As the December deadline draws near, Kenyans can only hope the government acts swiftly.
ALSO READ: Parents Warned as Deadly Drug Causes Zombie-Like Hallucinations Among Teens
RUPHA Warns Private Hospitals Could Shut Down by December Over Ksh76B Govt Debt
