NAIROBI, Kenya — The Social Health Authority (SHA) has appointed 82 new principal officers across key departments in a move aimed at strengthening managerial capacity and improving service delivery as the agency rolls out critical health sector reforms.
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 13, SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi said the appointments followed a competitive and transparent recruitment process that began on July 29, 2025.
“SHA is pleased to announce the appointment of eighty-two new Principal Officers. These significant appointments follow a competitive and transparent recruitment process,” Mwangangi said, adding that the officers will play a central role in supporting the Authority’s mandate during a critical reform phase.
The newly appointed officers have been deployed across a wide range of strategic departments, reflecting SHA’s push to stabilise its operations amid growing public scrutiny over the rollout of the new health insurance framework.
According to the Authority, the appointments include principal officers in legal services, benefits management, supply chain management, planning and linkages, as well as officers in charge of registration and compliance at both the national and county levels.
SHA also named principal officers responsible for fund management and finance.
In a bid to strengthen internal systems, additional appointments were made in human resource management and development, customer experience, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), corporate communication, internal audit, records management and administration.
A significant number of the appointees — 47 in total — were assigned roles as principal officers in charge of claims management at the county level, an area that has previously drawn concern due to delays and operational bottlenecks affecting service delivery.
Mwangangi said the expanded management team is expected to enhance coordination, accountability and efficiency within the Authority as it continues to implement reforms in line with the government’s universal health coverage agenda.
“The Authority takes this opportunity to express its deep appreciation to the dedicated staff for their unwavering support and commitment to the interim staff throughout this critical transition period,” she said.
SHA officials say the new leadership structure is designed to address these weaknesses by strengthening oversight, improving decision-making, and ensuring that reforms translate into tangible benefits for Kenyans.
The Authority has not indicated when the newly appointed officers will formally assume office, but insiders say the transition is expected to be completed in the coming weeks as SHA seeks to restore confidence in its operations and accelerate the implementation of health reforms.
