Duale Clarifies Claims Over Taifa Care Digital Health System Fee

Cabinet Secretary of Health Aden Duale and the Ministry of Health have clarified on the service fees charged on claims processed through Kenya’s national digital health system.

In a statement dated August 4 2026, Duale said reports that were published by the Daily Nation had created an impression that public money meant for healthcare was being paid to a private entity.

Duale said the digital heath system is a key component of the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda under Taifa Care noting that the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 requires all processes to be conducted through a digital system.

According to the Ministry of Health, the service is provided for under the Digital Health (Data Exchange Component) Regulations 2025.

Fee Paid

The regulations prescribe a fee of 2% of services processed through the Health Information Management Service (HIMS), which is at Ksh 5,000.

The Ministry clarified that the said fee is paid to the Digital Health Agency which is a state corporation that was established under the Digital Health Act 2023 to support operation and maintenance of the Comprehensive Integrated Health Information System.

Also Read: Duale Summoned Over Contempt of Court in Laikipia Ebola Facility Case

Further the ministry stated that the Digital Heath Agency is legally authorised to collect levy fees for services it provides and the revenue is treated as public money that is subject to auditing.

In addition, Duale also said that no private company receives, manages or disburses funds that are intended for healthcare providers and SHA remains responsible to paying claims to contracted healthcare facilities.

Digital Health Regulations

Additionally, the ministry noted that the Digital Health Regulations underwent regulatory impact assessment, public participation and parliamentary approval before being published in the Kenyan Gazette.

Also Read: “I Was Misquoted”: Duale Responds as NCIC Investigates His Remarks

At the same time CS Duale confirmed that the matter is currently at the high court where the government has been named as a respondent and said it will present its response through the judicial process.

On the other hand, it has directed SHA and the Digital Health Agency to continue to engage healthcare providers to address concerns over the claims and improve the system if needed.

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