NAIROBI, Kenya — The Social Health Authority (SHA) Board has appointed CPA Pariken Ole Sankei as its new Director of Internal Audit, following a competitive and transparent recruitment process that began on July 29, 2025.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Board said the appointment was part of ongoing efforts to enhance governance, accountability, and transparency within the Authority.
“The Social Health Authority (SHA) Board is pleased to announce the appointment of CPA Pariken Ole Sankei as the new Director of Internal Audit. This key appointment follows a competitive and transparent recruitment process that began on July 29, 2025,” the statement read in part.
Ole Sankei brings over 20 years of experience in internal audit, risk management, and corporate governance across both the public and private sectors.
He previously held senior positions as Head of Internal Audit at the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the Public Service Commission (PSC), and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). Before this appointment, he served as Acting Director of Internal Audit at SHA.
He holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in international business administration.
Ole Sankei is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Public Secretary (CPS), and an active member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).
According to SHA, his appointment is expected to strengthen oversight mechanisms as the Authority advances its mandate to provide financial protection and strategic purchasing of healthcare services for Kenyans under the new Social Health Insurance framework.
The Board also expressed appreciation to SHA staff for their continued support during the transition from the former NHIF structure, emphasizing the need for strong internal controls to rebuild public confidence in the restructured health financing model.
Ole Sankei’s previous appointment at NHIF came alongside several key leadership changes, including Elijah Wachira as CEO, Catherine Mungania as Director of Legal Services, Robert Ingasira as Director of Financial Services, and Martin Ayoo as Director of ICT.
The transition from NHIF to SHA has been closely supervised by the Ministry of Health. Former Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha chaired a high-level meeting earlier this year to oversee the process, stressing the need for a strategic roadmap addressing staff integration, patient data management, and outstanding financial obligations.
Her directive followed an NTV investigative exposé aired on June 18, titled “We Steal, God Heals,” which revealed a multimillion-shilling medical fraud scheme involving fake health providers linked to NHIF claims.
The revelations prompted a nationwide audit and fast-tracked reforms aimed at restoring integrity within Kenya’s public health insurance system.
SHA said Ole Sankei’s experience would be instrumental in embedding accountability and ensuring that internal audit functions serve as a safeguard for ethical, efficient, and transparent service delivery in the restructured authority.
