Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has appointed Dr Mercy Mwangangi as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a statement released by the Ministry of Health on Friday, April 11, Duale confirmed the former Chief Administrative Secretary's appointment.
Mwangangi has extensive experience in the health sector, having served in numerous positions in a career spanning over 15 years.
"Dr Mwangangi a health financing and poling and policy expert with over 15 years of the experience in universal health coverage (UHC), institutional reforms and health systems strengthening a proven leader in health governance, resource mobilization and strategic partnership with an exceptional track record of the driving policy transformation and financial reforms in the Kenya's healthcare landscape is poised to lead SHA into the next chapter," the statement reads,
According to the statement, Mwangangi is currently the Senior Health System Strengthening Director at AMREF Health Africa, where she is responsible for spearheading health financing and health security investments across Africa.
The ministry congratulated her on the appointment as the first SHA CEO, stating that it is confident she has what it takes to steer and deliver on the mandate of SHA.
"The Ministry congratulates Dr Mwangangi on the appointment and wishes her all the best as she becomes the first Chief Executive Officer for the Social Health Authority."
"We are confident that she has what it takes to steer SHA and deliver on the mandate of SHA," the ministry stated.
Dr Mwangangi's appointment follows the conclusion of a competitive recruitment process which saw a total of 92 applicants.
According to the statement, 12 candidates were shortlisted and interviewed out of the 92 people who applied for the position.
Mwangangi previously served as the Health Chief Administrative Secretary during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure.
The Social Health Authority replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund(NHIF), and it is designed for universal health coverage for the people of Kenya.
