Newly appointed Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has vowed to crack down on entrenched corruption networks at the Ministry of Health, commonly referred to as Afya House. Duale, who officially took office on March 25, made it clear that individuals with personal interests have no place in the ministry, emphasizing his determination to root out corruption.
Speaking during Eid ul-Fitr celebrations at Adams Arcade Mosque on Sunday, Duale stated that cartels within the ministry have long sabotaged government efforts to implement Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He assured the public that he has President William Ruto’s full support to cleanse the ministry, ensuring that healthcare resources are utilized for the benefit of all Kenyans.
“I will face the cartels head-on because I have blessings from the President,” Duale affirmed. “For those with personal interests, they better come to their senses and decide whether they want to work for citizens or work for themselves.”
As one of his first actions, Duale appointed a committee to audit the debts of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) as part of his broader efforts to reform the ministry. The CS has outlined a multi-faceted approach to tackling corruption, including the formation of an independent task force to investigate fraudulent practices, the implementation of stricter procurement processes, and enhanced accountability mechanisms to curb financial mismanagement.
Beyond combating corruption, Duale has emphasized the urgent need to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure the availability of essential medical supplies. He has pledged to work closely with county governments to address disparities in healthcare access, particularly in underserved regions.
His leadership comes at a crucial time when the health sector faces challenges such as inadequate funding, mismanagement, and public skepticism regarding the new Social Health Authority (SHA) system. Nearly six months after SHA’s rollout, the transition has been slow, with concerns over its effectiveness.
Duale has also announced plans to shut down most private hospitals operating in residential areas, citing fraudulent practices linked to the now-defunct NHIF. According to him, nearly 60 percent of these clinics will close once SHA is fully implemented.
With both optimism and skepticism from various stakeholders, all eyes are now on Duale as he embarks on his ambitious mission to bring transparency and efficiency to Kenya’s healthcare sector.
