SHA Paid Ksh1.2 Billion to a Private Company That Doesn't Own Any Hospital, Court Told

Welcome to the Money News Roundup. In today's edition, we cover a High Court petition challenging Ksh1.2 billion in SHA claims deductions allegedly paid to a private technology firm. We also look at the NSE crossing the Ksh4 trillion market value milestone for the first time.

SHA Paid Ksh1.2 Billion to a Private Company That Doesn't Own Any Hospital, Court Told

A private technology firm is at the centre of a High Court case challenging a 2% deduction applied to payments made by the Social Health Authority (SHA) to hospitals under the government's health insurance scheme.

As reported by Nation, the petition, filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, Dr Benjamin Gikenyi Magare and Eliud Karanja Matindi, alleges that Finsprint Limited has received about Ksh1.2 billion through the disputed levy deducted from SHA claims processed up to July 1.

The fee is charged through the Health Information Management System (HIMS), the platform hospitals use to submit claims, obtain treatment approvals and receive reimbursements.

The petitioners argue the deduction lacks legal authority, parliamentary approval and public participation. They want the High Court to suspend the levy pending determination of the case.

Court documents identify Finsprint Limited as the firm managing the HIMS System Utilisation Fee. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is majority-owned by Impactsoft Technologies Group Limited.

The petition also questions the firm's role in handling SHA payments and patient data, arguing the deductions unlawfully reduce hospitals' reimbursements and may violate constitutional privacy protections under the Data Protection Act.

Unremitted Pension Contributions Rise to Ksh85.2 Billion in 2025

Unremitted pension deductions rose to Ksh85.2 billion in the year ended December 2025 from Ksh69.4 billion a year earlier, highlighting growing risks to workers' retirement savings.

As reported by Nation, data from the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) shows contributions overdue by more than 30 days increased to Ksh73.1 billion, nearly triple the Ksh25.4 billion recorded in 2021. 

Occupational pension schemes accounted for the largest share of the arrears at Ksh63.8 billion, followed by umbrella schemes (Ksh4.2 billion) and statutory schemes (Ksh5.2 billion).

The government now plans to empower the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to recover unpaid pension contributions using tax enforcement powers, including freezing bank accounts, seizing assets and deactivating PINs of persistent defaulters.

Airtel Launches Bizna Wallet to Rival Safaricom’s M-Pesa Pochi la Biashara 

Airtel Kenya has launched Bizna Wallet, a mobile money product targeting micro-businesses and directly competing with Safaricom's M-Pesa Pochi la Biashara.

As reported by Capital Business, the new wallet allows customers to pay businesses at no cost. The move comes ata a time when Safaricom  decided to slash M-Pesa charges on Pochi la Biashara, tills and paybills. From August 7, payments below Ksh200 to Pochi la Biashara will be free, while the maximum merchant payment fee will fall to Ksh54 from Ksh108.

Airtel has also introduced a 50% cashback on selected transactions, including paybill payments, bank transfers and transfers to other mobile money networks.

M-Pesa remains Safaricom's biggest revenue driver, generating Ksh182.7 billion in the year to March, while Airtel continues expanding its mobile money market share.

NSE Hits Historic Ksh4 Trillion Market Value 

Investor wealth at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has surpassed Ksh4 trillion for the first time, driven by a rally in blue-chip stocks and the listing of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) and Family Bank.

As reported by the Business Daily, the market closed at Ksh4.013 trillion, up Ksh20.9 billion in a day and Ksh1 trillion higher than November 2025, when it first crossed Ksh3 trillion.

The rally has been fuelled by strong gains in major stocks, including Safaricom, Equity Group, KCB Group and Co-operative Bank, alongside higher dividend payouts and increased demand from local investors.

Since 2024, the NSE has added Ksh2.54 trillion in market value, outperforming Treasury securities, property, fixed deposits and collective investment schemes.