Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria has made an urgent appeal to the government to disburse funds owed to hospitals under the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and its successor, the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Speaking at Consolata Mathari Hospital during the opening of a newly refurbished outpatient department and maternity theater, Archbishop Muheria expressed concern over delayed reimbursements, which he said have crippled healthcare services in faith-based hospitals across the country.

“Despite our tremendous efforts to improve healthcare service delivery, we continue to face constraints due to unpaid reimbursements from NHIF and SHA,” he said.

Muheria revealed that Consolata Mathari Hospital alone is owed Ksh 250 million in unpaid reimbursements, an amount that has accumulated over the last four years. He added that catholic faith-based hospitals nationwide are owed approximately Ksh 2.5 billion, severely affecting their ability to provide quality healthcare services.

“A staggering debt of Ksh 250 million is enough to cripple any institution, yet despite this immense financial strain, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to providing essential healthcare services. Consolata Mathari Hospital alone is burdened with outstanding dues exceeding Ksh 250 million, a situation that reflects a broader crisis faced by faith-based healthcare institutions across the country. Collectively, these institutions are owed an estimated Ksh 2.5 billion, placing an enormous strain on their ability to sustain operations and continue serving communities in need,” he stated.

The archbishop said that despite their critical role in healthcare provision, faith-based hospitals have not received sufficient support from the government. He lamented the discontinuation of government secondment of doctors and nurses to these hospitals, a move that has further strained their capacity to deliver medical services.

 Additionally, Muheria criticized government policies that limit faith-based hospitals’ ability to procure medicine from affordable suppliers, such as MEDS (Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies). He argued that forcing these hospitals to source medicines from government-approved suppliers often leads to shortages and compromises on quality.

“Previously, the government seconded doctors and nurses to faith-based hospitals. Now, we receive no such support. In addition, our key pharmaceutical suppliers are facing restrictions, further straining our ability to provide affordable and quality healthcare, We should not be constrained to go to government suppliers that do not deliver medicine on time or at the quality we require,” he said.

 Muheria called on the government to move beyond rhetoric and take immediate action to resolve the financial crisis facing hospitals.

“It is not enough to keep giving excuses. We need payments. We need reimbursements. The system must work efficiently for the patient and the hospital,” he urged.

He also warned that delays in payments could push more hospitals to the brink, with some private institutions already threatening to stop offering services.

“On our part, we will continue serving, but this is a serious issue affecting poor and sick Kenyans. We cannot allow people to struggle in their illnesses because of bureaucratic inefficiencies,” he added.

Beyond healthcare, Archbishop Muheria highlighted the growing political and economic turbulence in Kenya, he criticized the government’s focus on excessive self-promotion, coining the term “govotisement” to describe what he perceives as an obsession with advertising government projects instead of implementing real change.

“Government is not an advertising agency; it is an agency of action. We need to stop the noise, accusations, and unnecessary excuses and start working together to solve the real issues affecting Kenyans,” he said.

As the country approaches the Lenten season, the archbishop called for reflection and unity among leaders, urging them to put aside political differences and focus on nation-building.

“Let this be a wake-up call. We must work together to build a Kenya that serves all its people, especially the poor,” he said.