Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale officially took over the Ministry of Health from his predecessor, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, on Tuesday, April 1.
During the handover ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Nairobi, Hon. Duale stressed the importance of collaboration as a cornerstone for advancing Kenya’s affordable healthcare systems and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a critical pillar in the country’s transformative agenda.
In his inaugural speech, Hon. Duale acknowledged the significant contributions made by Dr. Barasa in driving key reforms in the health sector.
He expressed gratitude for her efforts in laying a strong foundation for health initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of Kenyans.
“The prosperity of a nation is intrinsically linked to the health of its citizens,” Hon. Duale remarked, highlighting that achieving UHC would require collective efforts from all sectors of society, including government, private entities, and development partners.
Accompanied by Principal Secretaries Ms. Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards) and Mr. Harry Kimtai (Medical Services), the CS emphasized the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to delivering effective healthcare solutions, ensuring legal compliance, and working toward the realization of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Hon. Duale also took the opportunity to thank the Ministry’s staff for their dedication to service delivery, acknowledging their role in supporting the country’s health agenda.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s continued partnership with both local and international stakeholders to bolster the health sector and improve access to quality care for all Kenyans.
