Mercy Mwangangi appointed new CEO for SHA

By Newsflash Reporter

The Ministry of Health has appointed Dr Mercy Mwangangi as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA), a pivotal move aimed at accelerating reforms in Kenya’s healthcare financing and policy landscape.

Mwangangi, a distinguished expert in health financing and policy, brings over 15 years of experience in universal health coverage (UHC), institutional reform, and health systems strengthening. Her appointment signals the government’s commitment to driving forward transformative reforms within the health sector.

She has been appointed following the suspension of her predecessor, Eric Wachira, in November last year.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Health Mwangangi has earned a reputation as a proven leader in health governance, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships. Her exceptional track record includes advancing healthcare financing reforms and steering critical policies toward expanding access to healthcare in Kenya.

“Dr. Mwangangi is poised to lead SHA into the next chapter,” the statement read, noting her role in shaping the future of healthcare through bold policy and structural reforms.

Served as Health CAS

She previously served as the Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, she gained national recognition for her calm and eloquent presentation of the country’s daily coronavirus statistics and updates. Her reassuring public presence and clarity in communication made her one of the most recognizable faces in Kenya’s pandemic response.

Prior to her current appointment, Mwangangi was the Senior Health Systems Strengthening Director at AMREF Health Africa. In this role, she spearheaded health financing and security investments across the continent, playing a key role in securing development assistance for primary healthcare and the expansion of universal coverage.

Her appointment follows a highly competitive recruitment process that attracted 92 applicants. Out of these, 12 candidates were shortlisted and interviewed before the final decision was made.

The Ministry congratulated Mwangangi and expressed confidence in her ability to steer the Social Health Authority and fulfill its mandate. “We are confident that she has what it takes to steer SHA and deliver on its mandate,” said Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who signed off on the official announcement.