Corruption scandal in health sector pits MPs against cartels

 National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah blames vested interests for engineering political attacks to derail efforts to clean up SHA. [File, Standard] 

Corruption in the health sector and President William Ruto’s re-election campaign took centre stage during a youth economic empowerment event in Narok County.

Lawmakers defended Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale against growing calls for his resignation over an alleged multi-billion-shilling scandal within the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, the MPs praised the CS for what they termed bold reforms to dismantle powerful cartels in the health sector.

They blamed vested interests for engineering political and media attacks to derail efforts to clean up the system.

“We know corruption fights back, and many are unhappy with what the CS is doing. They are working to bring him down, but that is unacceptable,” said Ichung’wah.

The Kikuyu MP further alleged that cartels were behind a recent media briefing by a section of MPs demanding Duale’s resignation.

He warned that he would soon expose legislators whom he claimed were colluding with corrupt networks.

Earlier in the week, a group of MPs and Senators led by Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna accused Duale and SHA Chairman Abdi Mohamed of presiding over a fraudulent health scheme.

They claimed the SHA had become a conduit for looting public funds under the guise of universal health coverage. Ichung’wah countered by pointing to four bills passed by Parliament—the Primary Health Care Bill, Facility Improvement Financing Bill, Digital Health Bill, and Social Health Insurance Bill—as evidence of the government’s commitment to reforms.

“The digital healthcare law enables real-time, data-driven decisions. Those who used to steal through manual systems are now fighting back.’’