Senator Khalwale Slams CS Duale Over Arrogance, Despising Experts
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has criticized Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, saying he should quit being ‘arrogant’ and seek advice from his juniors to ensure the smooth implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking at a public meeting in Kakamega on Saturday, April 19, the Senator alleged that the CS has a limited understanding of the country’s health sector.
Khalwale advises Duale to rely more on the Director of Medical Services, Jackson Kioko, and the Health Principal Secretary, Mary Muthoni, who have substantial sector understanding, to make SHA operate.
“I would like to tell the director of medical services and the PS health that you should go to the office of the health CS and tell him to listen to you because I’m sure that you are experts in the sector,” he said.
“Go and tell him that the benefits of SHA are not evident when more people register; the benefits of SHA will be evident when citizens get quality healthcare services from the hospital,” he added.
The C/S Health must tirelessly purpose to make SHA work.. pic.twitter.com/WJxuKV2pdg
— Dr Boni Khalwale, CBS (@DrBKhalwale) April 19, 2025
Furthermore, Khalwale stated that he is eager to assist and advise the CS on the SHA implementation due to his medical background.
According to the Senator, the existing state of the new health-care system is unstable and incapable of fulfilling its promise.
“I’m a senior colleague because I’m a senior doctor, so you should ask me to contribute because we want SHA to work, because SHA in its present form cannot help Kenyans,” he said.
Doctors in Kenya have been reduced to a butt of jokes..pic.twitter.com/Cd9zaQ8TPc
— Dr Boni Khalwale, CBS (@DrBKhalwale) April 17, 2025
Duale has received tremendous criticism since his shift from the Environment Ministry to the Health Ministry, particularly from health stakeholders, many of whom have labeled him unfit for office.
For example, on Sunday, March 30, two days before the CS took office, Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah alleged that the CS lacked a thorough understanding of the country’s health care system.
Atellah argued that Deborah Barasa, Duale’s immediate predecessor, had a better understanding of how to lead the docket than former CS Susan Nakhumicha.
However, since President William Ruto appointed Duale as the new health secretary in March, he has remained optimistic that he will be a game changer, particularly in modernizing the contentious health system.
Speaking on Sunday, March 30, the CS told the president that he had discussed his mandate as the new health secretary, with Ruto supporting his choice to do whatever it takes to guarantee SHA works.
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“With the commitment of the president and my commitment, I want to assure Kenyans that universal healthcare is for all citizens,” he added.
“For those with personal interests, they had better come to their senses and decide whether they want to work for citizens or work for themselves.”
According to Duale, who testified before the National Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, registration numbers have increased in recent months.
With an average of 40,000 new registrations every day, Central Kenyan counties, including Nyeri, have the largest number of registrations across the country.
Senator Khalwale Slams CS Duale Over Arrogance, Despising Experts
