NAIROBI, Kenya – Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has denied claims that the Ministry of Health switched off the Afya Ke digital health system in Murang’a County, saying the platform is a private arrangement between the county government and its developers.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, Duale said the ministry neither owns, controls nor manages the system and does not possess its source code.
The clarification follows allegations by Murang’a Governor that the ministry had switched off the system, raising concerns over the continuity of digital health services in the county.
“To set the record straight, the Ministry of Health has not switched off the Afya Ke system. The Ministry neither owns, controls, nor manages the system, nor does it have the source code, contrary to the allegations,” Duale stated.
He said Afya Ke was developed under a private arrangement between the Murang’a County Government and the system’s developers.
Duale Says Afya Ke Developers Have Not Applied For Certification
The Cabinet Secretary also dismissed claims that the Digital Health Agency (DHA) had refused to certify the Afya Ke system.
According to Duale, neither the developers nor the Murang’a County Government had submitted an application for certification.
“The Digital Health Agency (DHA) has also not refused to certify the Afya Ke system. Neither the Afya Ke developers nor Murang’a County has applied for certification,” he said.
Duale urged the governor to avoid statements that could mislead the public and create unnecessary anxiety among residents and healthcare stakeholders.
The ministry did not provide further details on the technical or administrative status of the system in its statement.
SHA Beneficiaries Assured Of Continued Healthcare Access
Duale assured residents that beneficiaries of the Social Health Authority (SHA) in Murang’a would continue accessing healthcare services without interruption through established SHA systems.
He said the ministry remained committed to supporting the county’s digital health agenda, alongside similar initiatives across Kenya.
“We wish to assure the public that all Social Health Authority (SHA) beneficiaries in Murang’a will continue to access healthcare services without interruption via the established SHA systems,” the statement read.
The ministry added that it would continue working to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services and support the implementation of digital health systems across all 47 counties.
The dispute places renewed attention on the relationship between county-developed health technology platforms and the national digital health framework, particularly the certification requirements governing digital health systems.
