Health CS Aden Duale
By Kimberly Kalusi
A section of Kenya Moja lawmakers has called for the resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and the chairperson of the Social Health Authority (SHA), citing growing concerns over the management of the newly established agency.
The MPs accused the two leaders of presiding over what they termed as mismanagement and lack of transparency at the SHA, warning that public confidence in the institution was at risk.
The group of lawmakers led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has voiced dissatisfaction with the management of the government’s new health insurance scheme.
The legislators gave the two officials 72 hours to vacate office, warning they would explore alternative avenues to enforce accountability should the ultimatum lapse.
Reading a joint statement on behalf of the group, Kitutu Chache MP Anthony Kibagendi said: “We now demand the immediate resignation of CS Aden Duale and the chairman of SHA, as well as the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into SHA within the next 48 hours. If this is not done, we will call on all Kenyans to act.”
CS Duale has previously rejected allegations of mismanagement, maintaining his focus is on reforming the health sector. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he stated: “No amount of propaganda or blackmail will deter us from fixing our healthcare system… We will not rest until every Kenyan has access to quality, affordable, and dignified healthcare.”
Among the MPs present were Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), and Obadia Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu). Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who had been expected to attend, was absent after being locked out of Parliament’s Media Centre due to her suspension from the House.
The lawmakers also highlighted concerns over the SHA’s financial obligations, pointing out that several hospitals remain unpaid for services delivered under the new insurance scheme.
They urged President William Ruto to act decisively to safeguard the credibility of the authority, which is central to the rollout of Kenya’s new universal health coverage programme.
“The integrity of this agency is too critical to be compromised,” one of the legislators said, stressing that reforms are urgently needed to restore public trust.
