SHA Board Chairperson Abdi Mohamed during a past event. /COURTESY The Social Health Authority (SHA) has appointed four senior directors to strengthen its leadership as it embarks on delivering universal access to quality and affordable healthcare for all Kenyans.
In a press statement issued Friday, the SHA Board announced that the appointments followed a competitive and transparent recruitment process that began on July 29, 2025.
The new team comprises Diana Marion, who takes over as Director of Provider and Beneficiary Management, Golda Larissa Akolo, Director of Benefits and Claims Management, Mohamed Alio Ibrahim, Director of Corporate Services and Jonathan Leisen, Director of Funds and Finance Management.
Board Chairperson Abdi Mohamed said the four bring extensive experience and technical expertise that will be critical in steering the Authority toward its mandate of providing financial risk protection and expanding healthcare access across the country.
“Their expertise will be crucial in ensuring that every Kenyan resident has access to quality healthcare without the burden of catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses,” Mohamed said.
He also extended the Board’s gratitude to staff members for their commitment and support to the interim management team during the transition period.
Mohamed noted that the new appointments mark an important milestone in consolidating the Authority’s reforms.
The Social Health Authority was established to oversee and manage Kenya’s health financing reforms, aligning resources toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
It is mandated to provide financial risk protection for Kenyan residents and to streamline access to healthcare by pooling resources more efficiently.
The creation of the Authority was a cornerstone of President William Ruto’s administration’s health agenda, which has consistently highlighted UHC as a top priority.
The UHC journey has faced challenges ranging from fragmented funding, corruption scandals in the old NHIF system, to rising costs of treatment that have left millions of households at risk of financial ruin.
