MURANG’A, Kenya – Murang’a County has moved to the High Court seeking urgent orders to restore access to the Afya.KE health information system, warning that its shutdown threatens patient records, disrupts medical services and could jeopardise care for people dependent on regular treatment.
The county has sued the Ministry of Health and the Digital Health Agency, among other respondents, accusing them of disabling the platform without providing an equally functional alternative.
In an application filed at the High Court in Murang’a, the county wants the national government compelled to reinstate the system, preserve patient records and ensure uninterrupted access to services across its more than 176 public health facilities.
The county says Afya.KE was switched off on October 14, 2026, cutting off access to medical records and disrupting the processing of claims under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Murang’a Warns Of Risks To Patients
County Secretary Dr Newton Mwangi, in a supporting affidavit, said the system had been used for more than three years to manage patient information, clinical services and administrative operations.
“The shutdown or disabling of the Afya HMIS platform has impeded the ability of health facilities to access information stored therein and disrupted the continuity of health services,” Mwangi stated.
The county argues that the disruption threatens healthcare delivery to more than one million residents, as well as patients from neighbouring counties who rely on its facilities.
It has also raised concerns about telemedicine services supporting more than 25,000 patients, many of whom live with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma and mental health illnesses.
According to Mwangi, the telemedicine platform recorded 76,185 consultations between January and October 2026, allowing patients to receive care remotely without the cost and inconvenience of travelling to health facilities.
“The majority of them require drug refills and the disconnection is life-threatening,” he said, warning of the potential consequences for patients who depend on regular medication.
County Fears Millions In SHA Claims Could Be Affected
The county says it has spent more than Sh200 million providing SHA coverage to over 160,000 vulnerable residents through the Kangata Care programme.
It argues that the disruption could undermine its ability to sustain healthcare services and meet the needs of residents covered under the initiative.
The dispute also raises questions about the transition from the existing platform to alternative health information systems proposed by the Digital Health Agency.
County Challenges Proposed Alternative System
Murang’a says alternative systems identified by the agency, including Tiberbu HMIS, lack the telemedicine functionality currently in use and cannot adequately preserve three years of historical patient data.
The county wants the court to restrain the respondents from deleting, withholding, corrupting or restricting access to patient records.
It is also seeking disclosure of plans for transitioning to alternative systems, arguing that any change must protect patient information and avoid interrupting healthcare delivery.
The application raises constitutional concerns relating to the right to healthcare, data protection and the county’s devolved responsibility for managing health services.
Ministry, Digital Health Agency Named In Case
The application names the Ministry of Health, Digital Health Agency, Health Cabinet Secretary, Social Health Authority and Attorney-General as respondents.
The Council of Governors and the county governments of Murang’a, Kiambu and Nairobi are listed as interested parties.
Murang’a is seeking interim orders to preserve access to patient records and restore the system while the court hears and determines the dispute.
