SHA ordered to pay former NHIF director Sh3million, redeploy him
Crime and Justice
By
Kamau Muthoni
| Apr 15, 2026
The Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) has ordered the Social Health Authority (SHA) to facilitate the deployment of former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Funds and Finance Management Director, Robert Ingasira, to the public service.
In her judgment, Justice Hellen Wasilwa said it was unlawful for the Dr Mercy Mwangangi-led authority to “use and dump” Ingasira despite a transition clause that provided a pathway for his absorption through the Public Service Commission (PSC).
She noted that the former senior manager at the national insurer was dismissed despite appeals for redeployment within government.
The court found this amounted to a violation of his rights and ordered SHA to pay him Sh3 million in compensation.
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“The respondent, despite relying on an advisory from the Public Service Commission (PSC), had an obligation to ensure compliance with the law, which it failed to do when it terminated the petitioner without considering his request for redeployment within the wider public service. The petitioner’s right under Article 41 of the Constitution was therefore violated. It is not clear why the PSC advisory excluded directors from deployment,” said Justice Wasilwa.
In the case, Ingasira told the court he was dismissed on November 7, 2025. He said he had served diligently, consistently meeting and exceeding performance targets.
He stated his appointment came during the NHIF–SHA transition, under which he was to be considered for absorption, redeployment, or appointment in the new entity.
He argued the framework did not allow discrimination between fixed-term employees like himself and those on permanent and pensionable terms.
Ingasira said SHA issued contracts dated April 10, 2025, which made no reference to PSC, and he was not offered secondment if his services were not required.
Despite this, he said that on October 22, 2025, he appeared with SHA CEO Dr Mercy Mwangangi before the National Assembly, where he was introduced as a director, which he said confirmed he was still in office.
In response, Mwangangi said NHIF staff were only eligible to apply for SHA positions and would be given priority subject to suitability.