Ruto calls out Karen Hospital's Dr Gikonyo for 'lying' about SHA reimbursements

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Cardiologist Dr Dan Gikonyo, through Nairobi woman representative Esther Passaris, complained to President William Ruto about SHA failing to reimburse many hospitals

- To debunk the claims, Ruto directed SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi to present real-time reimbursement figures specifically for The Karen Hospital, where Gikonyo practices

- Mercy revealed SHA had paid over 66% of Karen Hospital's total claims, with remaining funds held over missing documentation

President William Ruto publicly challenged renowned cardiologist, Dr Dan Gikonyo, over his complaints about the Social Health Authority (SHA)'s reimbursement failures.

Through Nairobi woman representative Esther Passaris Gikonyo addressed is concerns to the president who presided over the 2026 National Health Summit, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi Tuesday, August 18.

How the Confrontation Unfolded

Passaris rose to relay a message she had received from Gikonyo, the proprietor of The Karen Hospital, in which he alleged that SHA had consistently failed to reimburse accredited hospitals for services already provided.

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Passaris began reading the message aloud.

"Are you aware that many hospitals have not been reimbursed? He felt that accountability for how much SHA owes," Passaris said, conveying Gikonyo's concerns to the gathering.

Ruto immediately interjected, rejecting what he described as vague, unverifiable claims.

He pressed Passaris to phone Gikonyo directly so the cardiologist could speak to specific grievances rather than broad allegations.

"Let's not talk generalities. Many hospitals have not been reimbursed. Which ones? It's good to be candid," Ruto said.

Passaris obliged and called Gikonyo on the spot, but he did not answer.

The president, while reacting to Passaris's attribution of the the missed call to the possibility that Gikonyo was in theatre and moved on, directed SHA chief executive officer Mercy Mwangangi to present real-time figures for The Karen Hospital.

What SHA's Data Showed

Mercy pulled up the system live before the summit audience, citing real time data.

She revealed that SHA had settled over 66% of the claims fronted by The Karen Hospital.

"Karen Hospital has submitted total value of claims of KSh 302,593,226 from the beginning of SHA. SHA has paid them 66.5%, so we've paid them KSh 201,506,857. We have rejected KSh 9.5 million claims. That's just 3% of their claims. SHA has returned KSh 40,284,778 to Karen to action. They have not yet actioned these claims," Mercy told the summit.

She further clarified that the outstanding balance being held by SHA amounted to KSh 51 million, and that this sum was pending because The Karen Hospital had not yet submitted the additional documentation required for those claims to be processed.

Ruto used the data to directly put Gikonyo on the spot, concluding that the cardiologist had not been forthright in his characterisation of SHA's conduct.

"Dr Gikonyo, wherever you are, it's good to be truthful. I have had this conversation with people with many generalities. This is not working, that is not working. We want to answer to facts," the President said.

The summit, convened to take stock of Kenya's health financing reforms since the rollout of SHA, has drawn scrutiny from medical practitioners over delays in hospital reimbursements under the new scheme, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.