A growing conflict is unfolding inside the Social Health Authority (SHA) as staff raise serious concerns about how candidates were shortlisted for upcoming interviews.
The issue began after the list of shortlisted applicants was released, immediately drawing attention to what many employees see as a worrying pattern that does not reflect fairness or national balance.
Instead of calming staff ahead of the November 28, 2025 interviews, the list has deepened mistrust and triggered accusations of ethnic favouritism and political pressure influencing the process.
Insiders within the institution, which is led by Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, describe an environment filled with tension, where some staff believe hidden power struggles have shaped the recruitment exercise.
According to them, internal divisions and what they call “shadow-boxing wars and ethnic chauvinism” have played a role in determining who made it to the shortlist. This has left many employees feeling that professionalism has been pushed aside.
The discontent is so strong that several staff members are now exploring legal options to stop the recruitment from continuing. One individual has already taken action by filing a case in court, seeking urgent intervention to halt the process until the concerns are addressed.
Information shared by people familiar with the issue shows the distribution of shortlisted candidates, and many staff say the numbers raise red flags.
The list includes 75 Kikuyus, 74 Kalenjins, 66 Kambas, 51 Somalis, 32 Luhyas, 31 Kisiis, 17 Luos, 10 Maasais, and eight Taitas.
To the employees who are questioning the exercise, this distribution does not look like a fair representation of the country. They argue that it suggests possible interference meant to favour certain groups, which goes against the principles of equality and national inclusivity.
One staff member described the situation as embarrassing, insisting that the recruitment be paused so that the process can be properly reviewed before proceeding. The staff member also suggested that the list seems politically shaped and may be serving a hidden agenda.
The institution, overseen by board chair Dr. Ali Mohamed, has already faced increased public attention over how it manages important administrative matters. Stakeholders in the health sector have recently complained about delayed remittances to hospitals and clinics, saying these delays are already affecting normal operations and putting pressure on health facilities.
Despite the growing concerns, SHA has not released any explanation about how the shortlist was compiled or responded to allegations of ethnic imbalance.
With frustration rising internally and a court case now active, the future of the recruitment process remains uncertain. Staff members continue to wait for official communication, hoping that the issues raised will be addressed before the interviews move forward.
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