Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has staked his reputation on a number: 29 million. That is the number of Kenyans he claims are now registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Speaking at a tense parliamentary retreat in Naivasha, Duale presented the figure as a vindication of the government's controversial health reforms. With Sh130.4 billion collected and Sh93.4 billion already disbursed, the CS argued that the SHA is not just functional, but flourishing. However, beneath the glossy presentation lies a system still plagued by teething problems and public skepticism.

The Numbers Game

The 29 million figure represents nearly half the population, a logistical triumph if accurate. Duale credited this to the aggressive deployment of 107,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and the digitization of 10,277 facilities. "We have moved from rhetoric to records," Duale asserted, challenging MPs to verify the data in their own constituencies.

• The Money Trail: The Sh93.4 billion disbursement is a critical lifeline for hospitals that had been starved of cash during the transition from NHIF, but facility administrators complain of delays and system downtimes.
• The Technology: The distribution of 30,087 tablets to health workers is a step forward, but connectivity issues in remote counties like Turkana and Marsabit threaten to leave millions behind.

Ghost Claims & Corruption

Duale did not shy away from the elephant in the room: corruption. He admitted the authority had lost Sh11 billion to fraudulent claims in its first six months—billing for surgeries that never happened and drugs that were never dispensed. "We are cleaning the house," he vowed, but for taxpayers, the admission is a terrifying reminder of the rot within the sector.

Universal Health Promise

The "Green Label" service charter, promising free primary healthcare, is now visible in dispensaries across the 47 counties. It is a noble promise. But as Duale navigates the treacherous waters of healthcare politics, he knows that registration numbers do not treat patients. Only doctors, drugs, and functional equipment do that. The 29 million are watching.