Safaricom has moved to clarify how the Social Health Authority (SHA) can deduct money from M-PESA accounts without prompting users to enter their PIN, following public concern over automatic deductions linked to the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo health insurance service.

The clarification came after an M-PESA user took to social media on Monday, January 12, 2026, questioning how funds were being withdrawn from his account without his direct authorization at the time of payment.

The user, identified on X as @UCollince, said the deductions began shortly after he enrolled in SHA’s Lipa Mdogo Mdogo contribution plan.

“Good morning @SafaricomPLC. Kindly explain how @_shakenya is able to deduct money from our M-PESA accounts without prompting us to enter our PIN. This started happening after we registered for the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo service. We need clarification on how this authorization works,” he wrote.

The post quickly gained traction online, with many Kenyans expressing unease over what they perceived as silent deductions from their mobile wallets, raising broader questions about consent, transparency, and data security.

Safaricom Responds

In response, Safaricom explained that the deductions occur when a customer has activated M-PESA Ratiba, the telco’s standing order feature, and has granted SHA permission to auto-deduct contributions.

“Hello Collince, apologies for that. If you have activated M-PESA Ratiba, which is a standing order service on M-PESA, and enabled SHA to auto-deduct, this can happen without prompting for the PIN,” Safaricom stated.

However, the user disputed Safaricom’s explanation, arguing that his mother never activated M-PESA Ratiba, yet her money was being deducted without her authorization.

Safaricom did not respond to that concern.

According to the telco, once a user authorises a standing order, future payments can be processed automatically without requiring repeated PIN confirmation.

What Is M-PESA Ratiba?

M-PESA Ratiba was introduced in October 2024 as a first-of-its-kind mobile money feature allowing users to set up recurring payments directly from their M-PESA wallets.

The service enables automatic transfers on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, making it ideal for recurring obligations such as rent, school fees, insurance premiums, subscriptions, utility bills, and now health insurance contributions.

Safaricom says the feature is designed to simplify payments and improve consistency, with no penalties for failed or cancelled standing orders due to insufficient balance.

Public Concerns Persist

Despite the explanation, the incident has reignited debate over consumer awareness and digital consent, with some users arguing that many Kenyans may not fully understand the implications of activating auto-deduction services.

Consumer rights advocates are now calling for clearer communication, stronger opt-in notifications, and easier ways for users to monitor and cancel standing orders.

As SHA ramps up enrolment into its health financing programs and M-PESA continues to anchor Kenya’s digital payments ecosystem, the episode underscores the growing tension between convenience and control in mobile money transactions.

For now, Safaricom is urging users to review their M-PESA Ratiba settings and confirm which organisations have permission to auto-deduct funds from their wallets.

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The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has intensified its crackdown on fraud within Kenya’s healthcare system, unveiling major progress in ongoing investigations targeting facilities audited by the Social Health Authority (SHA).

In an update released on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, regarding the probe, detectives from the Investigations Bureau at DCI headquarters confirmed that they are conducting a wide-ranging investigation into alleged fraudulent activities involving medical facilities across the country.

The facilities under scrutiny are located in Nairobi, Homa Bay, Wajir, Kilifi, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Kisumu, Vihiga, and Kajiado counties.

According to the DCI, 18 case files have already been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review and legal direction. Of these, the ODPP has approved the prosecution of nine cases, marking a significant step forward in holding suspects accountable.

Meanwhile, five additional case files are still awaiting review and guidance from the ODPP, while three files have been returned to the DCI for further investigations. Investigators are also working on seven more case files that are yet to be completed before submission to the ODPP.

“So far, 18 case files have been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review and legal guidance. The ODPP approved the prosecution of 9 cases, while 5 more case files are waiting for review and advice from the ODPP. Additionally, 3 case files have been returned to the DCI for further investigations, and 7 case files are still being investigated before being submitted to the ODPP for review and guidance,” the DCI stated.

In total, 24 suspects drawn from various medical facilities across multiple counties have so far been charged, as authorities signal that the net is widening and more arrests could follow.

The DCI reiterated its firm commitment to protecting public resources and restoring integrity in the healthcare sector, warning that no individual or institution involved in the alleged fraud will be spared.

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The Ministry of Health, through the Social Health Authority (SHA), has unveiled a new framework for Kenyans seeking specialized medical care abroad, introducing strict rules and financial limits under the Social Health Insurance (SHI) scheme.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, September 20, 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the move, anchored in the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, and its regulations, is aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and value for money in overseas referrals.

Qualifications for SHA treatment abroad

Under the new system, Kenyans will only qualify for treatment outside the country if the service is unavailable locally and their SHA contributions are up-to-date.

The treatment must be offered by an overseas provider accredited in its home country, recognized by Kenyan regulators, and linked to a contracted health facility in Kenya for follow-up care.

“The Ministry of Health, through the Social Health Authority (SHA), is proud to announce a new era for specialized medical care for all Kenyans under the Social Health Insurance (SHI) scheme. This milestone is a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring that no Kenyan is denied access to life-saving, specialized medical and surgical procedures not yet available locally, while simultaneously strengthening our national health system,” Duale’s statement read in part.

A preliminary list of 36 specialized services not available in Kenya has already been gazetted by the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP). This list will be updated continuously based on health technology assessments.

SHA referrals abroad

Referrals will be subject to peer review by the SHA’s Claims Management Office to ensure medical necessity. However, experimental or unconventional treatments will not be covered.

The government has also set a financial cap of KSh500,000 for overseas treatment per beneficiary, subject to review after contracting and negotiations with accredited providers abroad.

“This announcement follows a rigorous, systematic, and evidence-based assessment by the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP) to identify services eligible for overseas referral. This new process, unlike the previous framework under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), is guided by a robust legal framework, including the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, and its attendant regulations and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act,” Duale stated.

The Social Health Authority (SHA) Board of Directors has now been directed to begin empaneling and contracting overseas facilities, after which the public will be notified of approved providers.

“The Ministry of Health has directed the SHA Board of Directors to proceed with the empanelment and contracting of overseas facilities and to notify the public of the list of contracted facilities to facilitate approval of overseas treatment requests in line with the regulations and the MOH guidelines. This new framework guarantees a transparent, evidence-based, and accountable system for Kenyans seeking treatment abroad, ensuring value for money and quality care,” the statement read.

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Former Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Mercy Mwangangi has been appointed as the new Social Health Authority (SHA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale in a press statement released on Friday, April 11, 2025, said that Mwangangi brings over 15 years of experience in Universal Health Coverage (UHC), institutional reform, and health systems strengthening.

Duale further described Mwangangi as a proven leader in health governance, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships, with an exceptional track record of driving policy transformation and financing reforms in Kenya’s healthcare landscape, saying that she is poised to lead SHA into the next chapter.

“The Ministry of Health wishes to announce the appointment of Dr. Mercy Mwangangi as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Social Health Authority,” the statement read in part.

Dr. Mwangangi is currently the Senior Health Systems Strengthening Director at AMREF Health Africa where she has been spearheading health financing and health security investments across Africa.

Mwangangi shot to the public limelight during the COVID-19 period where she worked closely with the then Health CS Mutahi Kagwe in giving Kenyans daily updates on the COVID-19 situation in the country.

At the time, she worked as the health CAS in the then president Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

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Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has made six pledges after officially taking over the health docket from Deborah Mulongo Barasa, who has taken up the environment docket.

Speaking on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, during the official handover, Duale pledged to ensure that the Social Health Authority (SHA) settles hospital claims by the 14th day of every month to ensure efficiency.

Duale on ICU & HDU bed rebate under SHA

Duale also said that effective April 1, 2025, the ICU & HDU bed rebate has been enhanced to Kshs. 28,000 per day, while the oncology package for cancer patients has been enhanced to Kshs. 550,000 per person.

“Moving forward, SHA will settle hospital claims by the 14th of every month, ensuring financial stability for healthcare providers. ICU and HDU rebates have been increased to Ksh 28,000 per day, while cancer patients will now access an enhanced oncology package of up to Ksh 550,000 annually,” a statement shared by Duale via his official social media accounts read in part.

Human resource matters

Duale has also promised to fast-track all pending and perennial human resource matters under the Ministry of Health and work with all stakeholders to achieve a long-lasting solution.

He further promised to ensure the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) order fill rate goes up to 90%. To achieve this, recapitalization of Ksh 1.5 billion to KEMSA is to be provided through the supplementary budget, and negotiation for a credit facility of up to Ksh 5 billion is to be provided.

Duale on system hitches

Moreover, Duale says all system hitches will be addressed for seamless service delivery, with a 24-hour/7-days TaifaCare call Centre available by dialing 147 (toll-free number) fully deployed to handle all queries.

“The government has also prioritized the healthcare workforce, equipping 107,831 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) with essential kits and smartphones while finalizing CBA negotiations with healthcare unions to improve working conditions. Reforms at KEMSA are ongoing, with Ksh 6.5 billion allocated to streamline drug supply and eliminate inefficiencies. In the digital space, a national health information system has been deployed, with hospital management systems rolling out across counties to enhance service delivery,” Duale stated.

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