Kenya Appoints Dr. Mercy Mwangangi As Head Of Social Health Authority

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, former Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, has been named the inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Her appointment was announced by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Friday, April 11, 2025.

Selected from a competitive group of 92 applicants, Dr. Mwangangi stood out among the 12 finalists interviewed for the leadership role.

She brings extensive experience in health governance, having recently served as the Senior Director for Health Systems Strengthening at AMREF Health Africa.

There, she played a key role in enhancing health financing frameworks and bolstering health security throughout Africa, particularly in expanding access to universal health coverage.

In his statement, CS Duale highlighted Dr. Mwangangi’s depth of experience spanning over 15 years in shaping health policy, reforming systems, and leading resource mobilization efforts.

He praised her as a dynamic leader capable of transforming the SHA and ensuring it meets its objectives in Kenya’s health sector.

“She has consistently demonstrated the ability to lead policy innovation and drive meaningful reform in health financing. We have full confidence in her ability to take SHA forward,” Duale stated.

Dr. Mwangangi becomes the first person to officially hold the CEO position at SHA.

Other contenders for the role included acting CEO Robert Ingasira, as well as candidates such as Kennedy Akello, Dr. Serem Kimutai Edward, and Dr. Agrippina Njoki Fernandes, among others.