The Social Health Authority (SHA) has taken a significant step in its recruitment drive, announcing the shortlist of candidates for four pivotal director roles. This move comes after a rigorous application process that saw a staggering 494 Kenyans apply for the coveted positions, all graded at the influential SHA 2 level.
Pursuant to the Social Health Insurance Act, the SHA Board officially closed applications on August 19th, 2025. From the hundreds of hopefuls, only 38 candidates have been selected to proceed to the interview stage, representing a highly competitive selection rate. The shortlisted individuals are now set to appear before the interview panel at the SHA Headquarters’ 10th-floor boardroom on September 9th and 10th, 2025.
The breakdown of applications reveals the intense competition for these high-level jobs in Kenya’s healthcare administration sector. The Director of Corporate Services position attracted the most interest with 160 applications, followed by Director of Funds & Finance Management (105), Director of Provider and Beneficiary Management (126), and Director of Benefits and Claims Management (103).
Interview Schedule and Shortlisted Candidates
The first day of interviews, September 9th, 2025, will feature candidates for two roles:
· Director, Provider and Beneficiary Management (SHA/127/2025): The ten shortlisted candidates include Hazel Jemurai Kotaba, James Leiro Letangale, Jacob Muia Mutinda, and Fardosa Abd’ Ali, with the first interview commencing at 8:00 AM.
· Director, Corporate Services (SHA/129/2025): Nine candidates, including Jackline Leitch, Mohamed Alio Ibrahim, and Dr. Phyllis Nyakiba, are scheduled for interviews starting at 11:40 AM.
On September 10th, 2025, the interviews continue with the final two positions:
· Director, Benefits and Claims Management (SHA/128/2025): This list of ten features notable names like Dr. Diana Marion and Ibrahim Abdi Mohamed, who is notably listed as the only person with a disability across all shortlists.
· Director, Funds & Finance Management (SHA/130/2025): The nine candidates vying for this financial role include Peter Mutui, Osman Hassan Ibrahim, and Caren Awoor Oducr.
The SHA has emphasized its status as an equal opportunity employer, and the shortlist reflects a diverse mix of gender and ethnic background from tribes including Kalenjin, Kamba, Kenyan Somali, Luo, Luhya, Kikuyu, Kisii, and Borana. The entire nation wishes the shortlisted candidates the best of luck as they prepare for their interviews. This recruitment is a critical process for strengthening the leadership of Kenya’s evolving social health insurance framework.
