Murang’a:The Ministry of Health has denied allegations from Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata that it shut down the county’s Afya Ke digital health system. The Ministry clarified that it neither owns, controls, nor manages the platform.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Ministry stated that the Afya Ke system is a private arrangement between Murang’a County Government and its developers. The Ministry also clarified that it does not possess the system’s source code, countering the Governor’s claims.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale emphasized that the Ministry has not switched off the Afya Ke system. He noted that such claims could mislead the public and cause unnecessary concern among residents and healthcare stakeholders.
Furthermore, Duale addressed the issue of the Digital Health Agency (DHA) allegedly refusing to certify the Afya Ke system, stating that no application for certification has been submitted. The responsibility for certification, he implied, rests with the county and its developers.
The Ministry urged Governor Kang’ata to avoid making statements that could mislead the public regarding healthcare service delivery. To reassure residents, the Ministry confirmed that all Social Health Authority (SHA) beneficiaries in Murang’a will continue to access healthcare services without interruption through the established SHA systems.
The Ministry also reiterated its commitment to supporting Murang’a County in advancing its digital health initiatives and ensuring the continuity of healthcare services. The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between national and county governments over digital health infrastructure and regulatory oversight.
For now, Murang’a residents can expect uninterrupted access to SHA-funded healthcare services, while the certification of the Afya Ke system remains pending an application from the county or its developers.
