Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has declared that he will not be intimidated in his efforts to deliver on his mandate, amid an escalating public spat with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the management of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking at a Madarasa in Garissa town today, Duale dismissed allegations by Gachagua that he is involved in corruption within the government’s health insurance system under Universal Health Coverage.
Gachagua has been a vocal critic of the SHA, claiming it is being used to siphon billions of public funds.
In a strongly worded response, Duale accused Gachagua of peddling falsehoods and insisted he would not be distracted from his duties.
“I want to tell Gachagua from Garissa that I am done with you. I will sort you out. I will expose your lies and your entire campaign that is built on lies. I want to tell you while in Garissa that you and your group will not intimidate me at all,” he said.
Duale also revisited a separate dispute involving Gachagua and his late brother’s will, saying he had challenged the former Deputy President to provide evidence to counter claims that he altered it, something he said has not been done.
The CS further affirmed his commitment to defending President William Ruto’s administration and his Somali community, saying he would not apologise for doing so.
“When they speak in their mother tongue, Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, they are defending their community. I will speak in the Somali language to defend the Somali community. I will defend President William Ruto in the morning, lunchtime, and in the evening,” Duale stated.
On the fight against fraud in the health sector, Duale revealed that the ministry has shut down 12 health facilities since March 30, following investigations by SHA forensic auditors.
He said the affected institutions—both public and private—had been implicated in serious fraudulent activities.
“I want to tell the owners of these hospitals that political parties will not help you. The social media is not aware of the magnitude of the fraud that you have committed,” he said
By Erick Kyalo
