Kenya just named Aden Duale as Health Cabinet Secretary, and he promised to clean house at the ministry - nicknamed Afya House. He served before as Defence and Environment CS but moved to health with fighting words about corruption. He stated firmly that people with selfish goals cannot stay at Afya House anymore. Duale believes he has full backing from President William Ruto to take down these corrupt networks.
He took control of his new job on March 25, when former Health CS Debora Barasa handed over power before moving to her environment position. Duale spoke Sunday about major changes he plans for better openness, responsibility, and smooth running of healthcare across Kenya. He knows deep corruption exists throughout the system and wants to tear apart these groups that block progress toward helping all Kenyans receive care.
During Eid celebrations at Adams Arcade Mosque on Sunday, Duale repeated his promise to end corruption. He claimed certain groups purposely wreck government plans for Universal Health Coverage. Duale mentioned he already talked with President Ruto about what needs fixing, and the President fully supports his tough approach to make SHA work properly. Duale emphasized that healthcare belongs to every citizen, not just connected insiders.
Right after moving to health leadership, Duale created a team to check the National Health Insurance Fund debts as his first cleanup step. His arrival happened when healthcare faced big problems—money shortages, bad management, and years of stealing funds. Almost six months after SHA launched, Kenyans remain doubtful about the new system amid ongoing troubles. Medical workers and community groups like what Duale says but wonder if real change will happen.
Duale laid out several ways to address these issues, including having an outside group investigate corrupt actions and suggest punishments. He wants stricter buying rules and better tracking systems to keep money from disappearing. Beyond fighting theft, Duale stressed building better hospitals and making sure medicines reach everywhere in Kenya. He promised to work closely with county governments to fix uneven healthcare between rich and poor areas.
Many people watch Duale closely, hoping he brings honest leadership to the Health Ministry. Days earlier, he warned that most private hospitals in neighborhoods would shut down once SHA fully started. According to Duale, about 60 percent of these small clinics operate dishonestly through the old NHIF system, which SHA has replaced.
He took control of his new job on March 25, when former Health CS Debora Barasa handed over power before moving to her environment position. Duale spoke Sunday about major changes he plans for better openness, responsibility, and smooth running of healthcare across Kenya. He knows deep corruption exists throughout the system and wants to tear apart these groups that block progress toward helping all Kenyans receive care.
During Eid celebrations at Adams Arcade Mosque on Sunday, Duale repeated his promise to end corruption. He claimed certain groups purposely wreck government plans for Universal Health Coverage. Duale mentioned he already talked with President Ruto about what needs fixing, and the President fully supports his tough approach to make SHA work properly. Duale emphasized that healthcare belongs to every citizen, not just connected insiders.
Right after moving to health leadership, Duale created a team to check the National Health Insurance Fund debts as his first cleanup step. His arrival happened when healthcare faced big problems—money shortages, bad management, and years of stealing funds. Almost six months after SHA launched, Kenyans remain doubtful about the new system amid ongoing troubles. Medical workers and community groups like what Duale says but wonder if real change will happen.
Duale laid out several ways to address these issues, including having an outside group investigate corrupt actions and suggest punishments. He wants stricter buying rules and better tracking systems to keep money from disappearing. Beyond fighting theft, Duale stressed building better hospitals and making sure medicines reach everywhere in Kenya. He promised to work closely with county governments to fix uneven healthcare between rich and poor areas.
Many people watch Duale closely, hoping he brings honest leadership to the Health Ministry. Days earlier, he warned that most private hospitals in neighborhoods would shut down once SHA fully started. According to Duale, about 60 percent of these small clinics operate dishonestly through the old NHIF system, which SHA has replaced.
