PS for State Department for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga and SHA CEO Dr Mercy Mwangangi when she officially assumed office on June 3, 2025. /MoH/X
Doctor Mercy Mwangangi has officially assumed office as the chief executive officer of the Social Health Authority, becoming the first female CEO of the SHA.
She takes over from Dr Robert Ingasira who has been the acting CEO.
The handover was presided over by Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Medical Services in the Ministry of Health.
Dr Mwangangi was appointed to the position on April 11, 2025, by Health CS Aden Duale following a competitive recruitment process that attracted 92 applicants, with 12 candidates shortlisted and interviewed.
The SHA is a state corporation mandated to manage public health insurance and advance Kenya's universal health coverage (UHC).
SHA replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October 2024 under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.
Dr Mwangangi has a strong track record in health governance, resource mobilisation, strategic partnerships, and driving policy transformation and financing reforms in Kenya's healthcare sector.
Before assuming office at SHA, she was the Senior Health Systems Strengthening Director at AMREF Health Africa, where she led health financing and health security investments across Africa, securing development assistance funding for primary healthcare and UHC expansion.
She also gained national prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic as the Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), earning respect for her leadership and communication during the crisis.
Dr Mwangangi holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s degree in Health Economics and Policy from the University of Adelaide, Australia.
Her experience includes technical advisory roles within the Ministry of Health and contributions to health systems resilience at the African Union and other multilateral bodies.
Dr Mwangangi’s combination of technical expertise in health financing, practical leadership experience in public health systems, and proven ability to mobilise resources and partnerships will be crucial in steering the SHA through its critical transition and reform phase.
Her leadership is expected to address ongoing challenges facing the SHA, including service delivery issues, funding, and public trust, as the authority transitions from the legacy NHIF system toward a more robust, equitable health financing model.
