Dr. Mercy Mwangangi has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA). Dr. Mwangangi, a health financing and policy expert with over 15 years of experience in universal health coverage (UHC), institutional reform, and health systems strengthening, emerged top from a shortlist of twelve candidates selected from a pool of ninety-two applicants.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Mwangangi served as the Chief Administrative Secretary in the Health Ministry. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s Degree in Health Economics and Policy from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in initiatives such as the Linda Mama programme for free maternity services and the development of the Universal Healthcare (UHC) agenda.

The SHA, launched on October 1, 2024, replaces the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with the aim of providing affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services to all Kenyans. Dr. Mwangangi’s extensive background in health financing and policy is expected to drive the authority’s mission to enhance healthcare accessibility and affordability nationwide.