Gov't strikes deal to reopen St. Mary’s Hospital in Mumias after paying SHA claims

Nearly three weeks after the iconic St. Mary’s Hospital in Mumias, Kakamega, announced cessation of operations due to severe cash flow challenges, the facility could now re-open its doors to patients.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale now says the government is settling debts owed to the country’s oldest missionary hospital to reopen the facility.

The CS, speaking alongside Kakamega Catholic Bishop Joseph Obayi, confirmed that the government owed the hospital millions of shillings through both the defunct NHIF and SHA. 

“St. Mary’s Hospital, from where we stand, has not been closed by SHA, has not been closed by the regulator KMPDCU, and its license is valid. From where we sit, St. Mary’s Hospital has all the valid licenses," said Duale.

Over the weekend, the Catholic Church, which runs the hospital, disputed claims by the Prime Cabinet Secretary that the government had disbursed nearly Ksh.100 million through SHA for its operations. On Wednesday, CS Duale maintained that the government’s position remained as stated — a position confirmed by the hospital administration.

“Since December last year, St. Mary’s has received reimbursements from SHA totalling Ksh.98 million, and the man of the cloth is behind me, and I am a very true and believing Muslim, we don’t lie — me and him," Duale noted.

Joseph Obayi added: “From December 2024 to August 2025, SHA has disbursed Ksh.98 million. These have been disbursed spread over the months. We have pending payment of Ksh.35 million that we expect from SHA, and that is what we believe will help us clear workers’ arrears.”

The hospital’s administration, however, says it is still owed arrears from the now defunct NHIF to the tune of Ksh.140 million.

The ministry has maintained that arrears over Ksh.10 million from any institution will be paid on one condition.

“So I am calling on all — both faith-based, government, and most of them are our county governments, including my referral hospitals, faith-based and private. Working with the PS, we will work on a verification process. Minus verification, I will not pay," stated Duale.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa added: “For Kakamega County, we have a total of Ksh.250 million, which are pending bills for SHA, Ksh.72 million for level 2 and 3.”

Elsewhere, members of the National Assembly’s Health Committee have embarked on a countrywide tour of health facilities to determine the real situation with the operation of SHA.

“One of the challenges we have seen is the delay in payment by SHA, and if that happens, then facilities cannot operate effectively," said Samburu MP Pauline Lenguris.