Former Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi appointed SHA CEO

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced the appointment of Dr. Mercy Mwangangi as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Dr. Mwangangi, a seasoned public health expert, was selected from a pool of 92 applicants and was among 12 candidates shortlisted and interviewed for the position. She previously served as Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of Health and is currently the Senior Health Systems Strengthening Director at AMREF Health Africa.

At AMREF, Dr. Mwangangi has been leading initiatives in health financing and health security across the continent, with a focus on mobilizing development assistance for primary healthcare and the expansion of universal health coverage (UHC).

In a statement issued on Friday, CS Duale cited Dr. Mwangangi’s extensive experience in health policy, governance, and reform as key to her appointment.

“Dr. Mwangangi, a health financing and policy expert with over 15 years of experience in UHC, institutional reform, and health systems strengthening, is a proven leader in governance, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships. Her track record in driving policy transformation and financing reforms makes her well-suited to lead SHA into its next chapter,” the statement read.

Duale expressed confidence in her ability to steer the Authority towards achieving its mandate.

“The Ministry congratulates Dr. Mwangangi on her appointment and wishes her all the best as she becomes the first Chief Executive Officer for the Social Health Authority. We are confident that she has what it takes to steer SHA and deliver on the mandate of SHA,” said Duale.

Other candidates who had been shortlisted for the CEO role included former Acting SHA CEO Robert Ingasira, Kennedy Odhiambo Akello, Roberts Eloto Abok, Dr. Serem Kimutai Edward, Wario Boru Tore, Dr. Agrippina Njoki Fernandes, Abdullahi Sheikh Abdirahman, Dr. Musa Nyandusi Lwegado, Dr. Samson Kuhora Kairang’a, Dinah Jemelly Kirwa, and Kandie Ng’ochoch.