KISUMU- Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has launched a sweeping crackdown on corruption within the health sector, warning of severe legal consequences for individuals and institutions defrauding the Social Health Authority (SHA) fund.

Speaking during an economic empowerment forum for Kisumu County’s bunge la Wannchi, under the Kisumu United Development CBO , Duale confirmed that 35 health facilities have already been shut downin a nationwide operation targeting fraudulent claims and unethical practices that have drained public health resources.

“This is a matter of national interest and public trust. We will not allow criminals—whether in white coats or behind reception desks—to steal from the sick and vulnerable,” Duale declared.

The crackdown is focused on six critical fraud schemes:

1. Outpatient Claim Scams – Facilities found upgrading outpatient visits to costlier inpatient claims will be closed immediately.
2. Forced Admissions – Collusion between health workers and institutions to admit patients unnecessarily will result in disciplinary and legal action.
3. Code Sharing – Patients who share treatment codes with facilities to receive more services than required will be prosecuted alongside culpable doctors.
4. Pre-authorization Code Abuse – Doctors misusing authorization codes to commit fraud will be charged.
5. Ghost Patient Admissions – Facilities fabricating admissions for non-existent patients will be investigated.
6. Double Billing – Charging both the SHA and patients simultaneously is strictly prohibited. Duale urged the public to report such violations via the SHA call center (147).

The Cabinet Secretary confirmed that individuals already identified in the fraud investigation have been reported to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and will face prosecution.

Duale emphasized that this campaign is not a one-off event but part of an ongoing strategy to safeguard the integrity of the country’s universal health coverage system.

“We are putting both healthcare workers and patients on high alert. Any attempt to defraud the SHA will be met with the full force of the law,” he said.

The Ministry of Health has also encouraged whistleblowers, including patients, to come forward with information, promising protection and swift action.