A report on social media claimed that the Social Health Authority (SHA) gave Ksh.20 million to a non-existent hospital in Homa Bay. However, SHA dismissed the claim. The agency said Nyandiwa Dispensary, now Nyandiwa Level 4 Hospital, is active and serving the public.
On Friday, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi clarified the matter. She said the hospital, in Ndhiwa Sub-County, has served the community since 1997 under the Ministry of Health. Later, it was upgraded to a Level 4 facility.
She added that the hospital was among those approved for infrastructure support through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF). Therefore, the Ksh.20 million released was part of this program. It was not funding for the abandoned structure seen online.
Dr. Mwangangi explained that the hospital kept its old bank account under the name “Nyandiwa Dispensary.” She noted that many facilities across Kenya follow this practice after upgrades.
As a result, SHA rejected what it called “misleading” reports. Journalists had visited an unfinished building in the area and wrongly reported it as Nyandiwa Hospital.
“These claims are false and misleading,” Dr. Mwangangi said. “Journalists must verify facts before publishing.”
She urged media outlets to confirm details with SHA or the Homa Bay County Health Department. This, she said, would prevent the spread of false reports.
According to her, the abandoned building shown in the media was a county project. SHA never funded or contracted it. It also has no rights to process health claims.
Finally, Dr. Mwangangi confirmed that the government has already released Ksh.19.9 million to Nyandiwa Level 4 Hospital under strict rules. She added that the hospital has also received Ksh.751,504 under Primary Health Care and Ksh.82 million through the Social Health Insurance Fund since October 2024.
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