Safaricom-led Ksh.104.8B healthcare project gets National Assembly nod

The project, aimed at digitising Kenya's healthcare system, was initially criticised for its procurement process and involvement of Safaricom PLC.

However, following an in-depth review, the committee determined that the procurement process was legally compliant and transparent.

During a press briefing, the chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health addressed several committee members' concerns, such as the project's legal framework and why Safaricom was chosen as the lead partner.

The committee heard that the Ministry of Health obtained the necessary approval from the Attorney General's office, ensuring that all legal requirements under Section 134(2) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act were fulfilled.

Safaricom’s role as the lead partner, heading a consortium that includes Apiero Limited and Konvergenz Network Solutions Limited, was another point of contention. 

Committee members questioned why the telecommunications giant was chosen over other competitors. 

The Ministry of Health defended the decision by emphasising Safaricom’s technological capabilities and vast network coverage. 

With its 5G network reaching 77% of the Kenyan population and overall network covering 99% of the country, Safaricom was deemed the most suitable partner for a project requiring extensive and reliable connectivity, especially in remote areas according to the ministry. 

As the lead partner, Safaricom is responsible for overseeing the project’s coordination and ensuring all consortium partners fulfill their obligations.

The KSh 104.8 billion project is not limited to Social Health Insurance but also aims to establish a comprehensive, integrated healthcare system in Kenya.

 The initiative includes several components, such as a Health Information Management System, Health Information Exchange platform, telemedicine services, and a pharmaceutical tracking system. 

Additionally, the project will introduce the Social Health Authority (SHA) Insurance Management Platform, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, National Logistics and Supply Chain Management software, and a data analytics platform to support healthcare services.