The Afya House No-Show: A Missed Opportunity to Address Public Concerns Over the Sh104 Billion Health IT Tender

A crucial meeting scheduled by the Ministry of Health on Friday morning, aimed at shedding light on the new Social Health Authority (SHA) and the controversial Sh104 billion IT system supporting Kenya’s health services, turned into a public relations debacle. Afya House officials, including Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai, failed to show up, leaving an assembled group of journalists, stakeholders, and guests waiting for hours. The absence of these key figures at an event they had organized raises significant questions about the government’s handling of this high-stakes initiative, particularly as the country transitions from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the SHA.

The event was intended to provide transparency and clarify details about the new integrated healthcare information technology system that will support the SHA. However, the PS and other officials were conspicuously absent, and the situation has only added fuel to growing public skepticism surrounding the tender process, transparency, and the functionality of the new system.

The Missed Meeting: A Timeline of Events

The planned breakfast meeting was set to take place at the JW Marriott hotel in Nairobi’s Chiromo area. Invitations sent by the Social Health Authority indicated that the event would kick off at 7:30 AM on Friday, with Health PS Harry Kimtai expected to headline the session. Other officials from the Ministry of Health and representatives of the consortium responsible for implementing the IT system were also expected to attend.

The event was supposed to provide a comprehensive update on how the SHA would be rolled out and what Kenyans could expect when the system becomes operational on October 1, 2024. Given the looming transition from NHIF to SHA and the Sh104 billion price tag associated with the new IT system, there was substantial public interest in the meeting.

Despite the breakfast being served promptly at 7:30 AM, attendees, including members of the media and invited guests, were left waiting for hours with no sign of the Ministry of Health officials. By 11:00 AM, the event was unofficially abandoned, with many attendees walking out after losing hope that the officials would appear.

No formal communication was made by the Ministry to explain the no-show, leaving attendees baffled and frustrated. Reports later indicated that PS Kimtai was “held up in meetings” and that other ministry officials who had been on their way to the session were recalled for another “meeting.”

The Sh104 Billion IT System: What’s at Stake?

The glaring absence of key officials at this event is concerning, particularly considering the significance of the project under discussion. The new IT system, which is set to underpin the SHA, comes with a price tag of Sh104 billion—a figure that has sparked intense scrutiny from the public, the media, and watchdog organizations.

One of the primary concerns raised is the lack of competitive bidding in the selection of the supplier. The consortium tasked with implementing the IT system comprises Safaricom Limited, Apeiro Limited, and Konvergenz Network Solutions Limited. These firms were handpicked to provide the integrated healthcare information technology system, bypassing the usual open tendering process.

In his previous statements, PS Kimtai defended the decision, arguing that the consortium was chosen after a comparative analysis with other systems. According to Kimtai, external evaluations had confirmed that the chosen system would offer value for money and reduce instances of fraud. “We’ve done comparison with others, because we’ve asked some reputable companies to do assessments for us in terms of this system. The verdict they gave us is that if we are able to implement this system, there is going to be value for money,” he said during a public forum at the University of Nairobi earlier in the week.

However, the lack of transparency in the tendering process, coupled with the high cost of the system, has left many questioning whether the government is truly getting the best deal for Kenyan taxpayers. The controversy surrounding this system is compounded by the fact that it is being implemented at a time when Kenyans are grappling with economic challenges, including high inflation and growing public debt.

The Impending Transition from NHIF to SHA

The SHA will officially replace the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) on October 1, 2024. The NHIF, which has served Kenyans for 60 years, will be folded on Monday, marking the end of an era for the country’s healthcare insurance system. The SHA is expected to take over as the central agency responsible for managing the nation’s health insurance and providing universal health coverage (UHC) to Kenyans.

The rollout of the SHA is a cornerstone of the government’s UHC agenda, and the success of the initiative hinges heavily on the functionality of the Sh104 billion IT system. The system is designed to streamline healthcare services, improve the management of health data, and reduce fraud—issues that have plagued the NHIF in the past.

However, the abrupt cancellation of the Friday meeting, coupled with the mounting public outcry over the lack of transparency, could undermine public confidence in the SHA even before it gets off the ground. Kenyans are eager to see whether the SHA will deliver on its promise to provide better healthcare services and improved access to insurance coverage, but many are skeptical given the rocky start to the project.

Public Reactions and Growing Concerns

The failure of Afya House officials to show up at Friday’s meeting has intensified public scrutiny over the government’s handling of the SHA rollout. Many Kenyans have taken to social media to express their frustration, with some accusing the Ministry of Health of evading accountability and transparency.

Civil society organizations and health policy experts have also voiced their concerns. Many are calling for the government to provide more detailed explanations regarding the decision to handpick the consortium responsible for the IT system, as well as a clearer breakdown of how the Sh104 billion will be spent.

Moreover, the no-show raises questions about the readiness of the Ministry of Health to effectively implement the SHA and the new IT system by October 1. With just days remaining before the official transition, the lack of communication from Afya House is troubling.

The government’s decision to handpick the suppliers has also raised red flags for anti-corruption watchdogs, who argue that open and competitive bidding processes are essential to ensuring transparency and accountability in public procurement. The Sh104 billion price tag for the IT system is one of the largest expenditures in Kenya’s healthcare sector in recent years, and the public deserves to know whether the investment will yield the promised benefits.

The Way Forward: A Call for Transparency and Accountability

As the countdown to the SHA rollout continues, the Ministry of Health faces increasing pressure to address the concerns that have been raised by the public and stakeholders. The lack of transparency surrounding the Sh104 billion IT system is particularly alarming, and it is imperative that the government takes steps to provide more information about how the funds will be used.

One of the key demands from the public is a more detailed explanation of why the handpicked consortium was chosen and whether the decision was based on merit or other factors. Additionally, there is a need for clear communication from the Ministry of Health regarding the timeline for the implementation of the new system and how it will affect Kenyans who rely on the NHIF for healthcare coverage.

The Ministry must also ensure that future engagements with the media and other stakeholders are handled with the seriousness they deserve. Friday’s no-show was not only a missed opportunity to provide much-needed information, but it also damaged the credibility of the Ministry and the SHA initiative.

Conclusion

The Ministry of Health’s failure to attend the Friday meeting has cast a shadow over the launch of the Social Health Authority and the Sh104 billion IT system that will support it. With only a few days left before the SHA takes over from the NHIF, the government must take urgent steps to address public concerns and ensure that the rollout proceeds smoothly.

Transparency, accountability, and effective communication will be critical to rebuilding public trust in the SHA and the new IT system. The success of Kenya’s universal health coverage agenda depends on it.