Former Ministry of Health Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi is among the candidates shortlisted for the Social Health Authority (SHA) Chief Executive Officer position.
In a notice, SHA chairperson Dr. Abdi Mohammed announced that Mwangangi is one of 12 candidates selected from a pool of 92 applicants.
The position became vacant following the suspension of former CEO Elijah Wachira in November 2024.
The authority subsequently advertised the vacancy on February 27, 2025, with a submission deadline of March 20, 2025.
Among the candidates who have made the shortlist alongside Mwangangi are acting SHA CEO Robert Ingasira who was appointed in an acting capacity following Wachira’s suspension.
Others are Kandie Ng’ochoch, Wario Tore, Kennedy Akello, Serem Edward, Abdullahi Abdirahman, Musa Lwegado, Agrippina Fernendes, Samson Kairang’a, Dinah Kirwa, and Roberts Abok.
The interviews have been scheduled for April 7 and 8 at SHA headquarters.
“The shortlisted candidates are invited to attend an interview at the Social Health Authority Headquarters, 10th Floor Boardroom on dates and time specified in the schedule below,” reads part of the notice.
“Shortlisted applicants should report at the venue at least thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled time.”
At the same time, SHA chairperson Dr Abdi Mohamed invited members of the public to submit any adverse information relating to any of the candidates before the interview dates.
The information should be submitted to the Chairperson, Social Health Authority Board, SHA Building, 10th Floor, Nairobi, or through email to [email protected] to be received on or before 4th April 2025 at 5 pm.
SHA shortlists candidates for CEO position
In addition, candidates will be required to bring their original national identity cards, academic and professional certificates, and transcripts.
They must also present clearance certificates from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), a registered Credit Reference Bureau, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
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A recognition letter from the Commission for University Education is mandatory for applicants with foreign degrees.
Applicants must also provide recommendation letters or certificates of good standing from relevant professional bodies, if applicable.
SHA replaced the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, and began operations on October 1, 2024.
The authority is responsible for managing public health insurance and ensuring affordable healthcare for citizens and eligible residents.
About Mercy Mwangangi
Dr. Mercy Mwangangi is a medical doctor, health economist, and policy analyst who served as a CAS at the Ministry of Health during former President Uhuru Kenyatta‘s second term.
She was among the top officials who worked tirelessly to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya after the first case was recorded in March 2020.
Mercy has been in the public health sector since 2010. Her first leadership appointment came at the age of 23, right after completing her medical internship at Machakos Level Five Hospital when she was posted to Meru South as a district medical officer.
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As the former CAS, she was responsible for overseeing public health across all districts, providing a wide range of services, including immunization, nutrition, routine monitoring, water and sanitation, as well as malaria and tuberculosis management.
At the end of her tenure, she chose to further expand her skills and knowledge in the public health sector.
Career profile
In 2013, Mwangangi successfully secured an Australian scholarship for a dual master’s degree in health economics, policy, and leadership.
Upon returning to Kenya, she took up the role of Head of Health Financing and Health Economics at the Ministry of Health until her appointment as CAS.
In addition to this role, Mercy also served as a joint secretary in the Universal Health Coverage task force, one of the key pillars of the Jubilee Government’s Big Four Agenda.
She attended Pangani Girls High School in Nairobi for her secondary education before joining the University of Nairobi (UoN), where she pursued a degree in Medicine and graduated in 2009.
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