Elijah Wachira served as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Social Health Authority (SHA) until he was placed on compulsory leave on November 12, 2024. During Wachira’s time in the role, SHA transitioned from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). While at SHA, Wachira worked to encourage Kenyans to register for insurance. Wachira believed that in a few years, SHA would cover all medical expenses, eliminating the need for fundraising to cover medical bills. The SHA board sent Wachira on leave in order to investigate concerns about his conduct and performance.
Challenges During Wachira’s Time as CEO
Wachira’s tenure was marked by a chaotic transition from the NHIF to the SHA. When the new insurance system was rolled out, patients with chronic illnesses were turned away from hospitals for lack of payment and many health facilities were not prepared for the transition. In addition, Kenyans expressed concerns over the new system, such as “ghostly spouses and children” on their list of dependents and low limits for services.
The SHA board also raised concerns that Wachira had prioritized settling debts with private facilities, rather than public ones. As a result, the SHA was accused of contradicting its commitment to improving access to healthcare under Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Wachira’s Background
Wachira is a seasoned professional in the insurance industry. He worked as the managing director of CIC General for four years. He also worked in top management at Madison Insurance Company Kenya Limited and Sanlam. At CIC, he served as the Group CEO on an interim basis from October 2019. Wachira has an MBA from the University of Nairobi.
