The Ministry of Health has dismissed allegations that it switched off the Afya Ke digital health system in Murang’a County, clarifying that it neither owns nor manages the platform.
In a press statement issued in Nairobi on Thursday, October 15, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the ministry had noted with concern claims by the Murang’a Governor that the national government had shut down the system.
Duale maintained that the Ministry of Health does not control the Afya Ke system and does not possess its source code, contrary to the allegations. He said the platform was established through a private arrangement between the Murang’a County Government and its developers.
The Cabinet Secretary also dismissed claims that the Digital Health Agency (DHA) had refused to certify the system, stating that neither the developers nor the county government had submitted an application for certification.
“The Ministry of Health has not switched off the Afya Ke system,” the statement clarified, disputing the allegations surrounding the platform’s status and management.
The ministry urged the Murang’a Governor to refrain from making statements it considers misleading, warning that such claims could misinform the public and cause unnecessary concern among residents and healthcare stakeholders.
The clarification comes amid concerns over the operation of the county’s digital health platform and the role of national health agencies in overseeing digital health systems.
Despite the dispute over Afya Ke, the Ministry of Health assured residents that access to healthcare services for beneficiaries of the Social Health Authority (SHA) would not be interrupted.
According to the statement, all SHA beneficiaries in Murang’a will continue receiving healthcare services through the established SHA systems, regardless of the situation surrounding the county’s platform.
Duale reiterated the ministry’s commitment to supporting Murang’a County in advancing its digital health agenda, adding that the national government continues to support other county governments in implementing digital health systems.
The ministry further pledged to ensure continuity of healthcare services and support the effective implementation of digital health systems across the country.
