Jayesh Saini, a well-known figure in Kenya’s private healthcare sector, has once again found himself at the center of controversy as private hospitals suspend services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) cover.
As it has been reported by different sources including The Adani whistleblower Nelson Amenya, his deep involvement in the healthcare industry, particularly through his ownership of multiple medical facilities, raises serious questions about whether this crisis is being manipulated for financial gain.
Saini has long controlled a big portion of Kenya’s private healthcare system, with his empire spanning hospitals, clinics, and insurance-related ventures.
For years, he has positioned himself as a key player in government health contracts, including the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). The same NHIF that left a massive KSh30 billion debt, which the government is now struggling to clear, is one in which his businesses were heavily involved.
Given this history, it is worth asking whether the current standoff is just another scheme to pressure the government into settling debts that disproportionately benefit his empire. His business practices have long been criticized for prioritizing profit over patient welfare.
Many Kenyans have experienced firsthand the high costs of treatment at facilities linked to him, where patients are often required to pay exorbitant fees upfront before receiving medical attention.
With the SHA now in limbo, private hospitals including those under his influence are refusing to offer services to patients who depend on the cover. This effectively holds vulnerable Kenyans hostage while hospitals, including Saini’s, demand payments from the government.
Saini has also been linked to previous scandals involving dubious procurement deals in the health sector. His ability to secure lucrative government contracts has often been questioned, particularly regarding how his entities have benefited from NHIF payments over the years.
The current crisis, where private hospitals claim they are owed billions, raises concerns about whether figures like Saini played a role in inflating hospital claims under NHIF, leading to the massive debt that the new SHA is now struggling to inherit.
While the Ministry of Health insists it will verify all pending claims before making payments, figures like Saini are undoubtedly among those keen to push for immediate disbursements.
The question remains how much of the KSh30 billion debt is tied to his business interests, and did his facilities engage in exaggerated billing? It wouldn’t be the first time Kenya’s healthcare sector has been held hostage by powerful businessmen who thrive on government contracts.
It is clear that the crisis is not just about unpaid bills but also about power and profit. If the government caves in without proper scrutiny, it will only embolden figures like Saini to continue leveraging the country’s broken healthcare system for personal enrichment.
The SHA standoff should serve as a wake-up call to investigate how private hospitals, especially those linked to him, have manipulated public health funds in the past and whether they are doing it again.
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