Western MPs Defend CS Barasa, Allege Plot To Oust Her
The escalating tensions at the Ministry of Health headquarters between Cabinet Secretary for Health Deborah Barasa and Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai appear to have taken a political turn after several Western parliamentarians intervened and issued ultimatums.
During a press conference at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, parliamentarians from Bungoma County, led by John Waluke and Jack Wamboka, condemned what they described as a concerted plot by elements within the government to undermine CS Barasa.
According to the parliamentarians, a recently reappointed Cabinet Secretary collaborated with the Health PS to weaken Barasa’s authority.
The MPs promised to take up the issue, implying that Barasa may be a victim of tribalism inside the administration.
Bungoma MPs have turned their guns at Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimutai, accusing him of undermining their daughter, Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, and sabotaging the government's flagship Social Health Insurance Fund.
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) March 11, 2025
Speaking at a press conference at… pic.twitter.com/49WvbOR11U
Furthermore, the MPs stated that there was a money scandal within the ministry regarding the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), on which the witchhunt was being orchestrated to target the CS.
“They have pilfered public resources at the Ministry, and that is why they are attempting to use that former Cabinet Minister who was recently reappointed to undermine her. This country belongs to all Kenyans,” Waluke stated.
Furthermore, the legislators expressed alarm about PS Kimtai’s withdrawal of several appointments made by CS Barasa, claiming that it was a deliberate attempt to undermine her authority.
Tensions rose in January when PS Kimtai nominated Andrew Mulwa, former CEO of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), to run the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP).
However, his supervisor, the Health CS, quickly overruled the decision, escalating the power battle within the ministry.
The MPs cautioned that any attempt to remove Barasa from office would be vigorously opposed, particularly while there is mounting speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle.
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They also stated that if these steps were part of broader government realignment, they would withdraw their support for President William Ruto and Raila Odinga’s unity accord.
Meanwhile, MPs warned the Medical Services PS to keep to his job mandate and not interfere with the work of the CS.
“They are lucky they were given appointments by the President, so they should focus on their job descriptions,” Waluke added.
“Let each of them do their jobs—if it is the PS, he should do his work, the same as the CS who was recently appointed.”
Western MPs Defend CS Barasa, Allege Plot To Oust Her
