Mystery surrounds the control of Murang’a County’s Afya Ke digital health system after the Ministry of Health described it as a private arrangement, prompting Governor Irungu Kang’ata to challenge the government’s explanation.
In a press statement on October 15, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale denied claims that the Ministry of Health had switched off the Afya Ke system in Murang’a County.
Duale said the Ministry neither owns, controls, nor manages the platform and does not have its source code.
“The Ministry of Health has noted with concern the allegations by the Governor of Murang’a that the Ministry has switched off the Afya Ke system in the county,” the statement read in part.
Kang’ata Challenges Ministry’s Statement
Kang’ata dismissed the Ministry’s explanation as “shocking” and “totally untrue”, questioning how the platform could use an official government domain if it was privately managed.
“Gosh, this is shocking. Totally untrue. How does it have a go. ke domain name? Department of Defence; Tharaka Nithi and Kitengela Govt hospitals – all have it,” Kang’ata stated.
The governor cited the Department of Defence, Tharaka Nithi County, and Kitengela government hospitals’ use of the .go.ke domain to challenge the Ministry’s position on the system.
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This disagreement centres on ownership and management of Afya Ke, a digital health platform used in Murang’a County, and has drawn attention to the system’s status after changes to digital health services in county facilities.
Ministry Explains Afya Ke’s Status
The Ministry described Afya Ke as a private arrangement between the Murang’a County Government and its developers.
Duale also clarified that the Digital Health Agency had not refused to certify the system, noting that neither the developers nor the county government had applied for certification.
“The system is a private arrangement between the County Government of Murang’a and its developers. The Digital Health Agency (DHA) has also not refused to certify the Afya Ke system. Neither the Afya Ke developers nor Murang’a County has applied for certification.”
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The Cabinet Secretary urged Governor Irungu Kang’ata to refrain from making statements he said could misinform the public and cause unnecessary concern among residents and healthcare stakeholders.
Duale assured residents that Social Health Authority (SHA) beneficiaries in Murang’a would continue accessing healthcare services without interruption through established SHA systems.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting Murang’a and other counties in advancing digital health services and ensuring continuity of care.
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