Mwangangi named SHA boss as Ingasira takes over in Finance

Robert Ingasira, who had been serving as the acting CEO of the Social Health Authority (SHA), has been appointed Director of Funds and Finance Management.

Ingasira had been holding the CEO position in an acting capacity, which has now been filled by Dr Mercy Mwangangi.

Prior to his appointment as acting CEO, Ingasira served as Director of Finance under the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). He took over the acting CEO role from Elijah Wachira, who was also serving in an acting capacity.

Wachira was dismissed barely a month after assuming office, following allegations of corruption involving the mismanagement of insurance funds.

Although Ingasira was shortlisted for the CEO position, he lost to Dr Mwangangi, who previously served as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Health under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

“It appears Ingasira has retained the position he held at NHIF. Before being appointed as acting CEO, he was Director of Finance—a role he has now resumed under SHA,” said a source at the authority who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

During his tenure, Ingasira oversaw the revision of benefits for critical care and oncology. For instance, the benefit and tariff for Critical Care (ICU/HDU) was revised to Sh28,000 per day, while the tariff for the oncology package was raised to Sh550,000 per person per year.

The additional Sh150,000 for oncology and the entire critical care tariff will be reimbursed under the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, while the initial Sh400,000 for oncology remains under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

Additionally, Ingasira spearheaded the digitalisation of all health facilities—a process first adopted by Mombasa County—which is expected to boost the Facility Improvement Fund, whereby revenue collected in hospitals is channelled back into hospital development.

Ingasira was appointed to the director’s position alongside Ibrahim Alio (Director, Corporate Services), Hezel Koitaba (Director, Provider and Beneficiary Management), and Pariken Sankei (Director, Internal Audit).

“I take this opportunity to congratulate all the appointees and wish them all the best as they embark on delivering the mandate of the organisation,” said Dr Abdi Mohamed in the official announcement.

Mohamed added: “I also take this opportunity to thank Mr Robert Ingasira for his dedication and leadership as Acting CEO, and to all staff for the patience you have accorded the board during this ongoing recruitment process.”

At least nine deputy directors were also appointed, according to an internal memo issued by Dr Abdi Mohamed, the SHA chairperson.

The deputy director positions include County Coordination, Information Communication and Technology, Funds Management, Internal Processes and Systems, Forensic Audit, Risk and Assurance, Benefits Management, Beneficiary Management, Provider Management, and Planning and Linkages.

Interviews for internal appointments at SHA are ongoing, according to sources familiar with the process.

Currently, SHA has only 815 approved positions—a significant reduction from the 1,732 positions under the former NHIF.

Employees were deployed to SHA under their existing NHIF terms for a six-month interim period or until SHA concludes its recruitment process.

According to SHA’s operational guidelines, all employees are required to undergo a suitability assessment to determine their eligibility for permanent roles.

Three options were presented to employees: successful transition to SHA following assessment, early retirement, or redeployment to other public entities—a process overseen by a team comprising officials from the Ministry of Health, Public Service Commission (PSC), and former NHIF representatives.

The transition has been marked by major leadership changes at SHA, despite the authority being in operation for less than six months.

Dr Timothy Olweny, the inaugural board chairperson, was replaced by Mohamed Abdi in November 2024.

Wachira, the first acting CEO, was dismissed within a month of his appointment over allegations of financial misconduct.

More recently, Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale revoked the appointment of Zakayo Kariuki as a board member and replaced him with Roselyn Mungai, Nakuru County’s Health CEC.