Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dismissed claims by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale questioning his academic credentials and capacity to steer the health docket.
In a statement on Sunday, September 7, Duale described Khalwale’s remarks as a personal attack, urging the Senator to focus on real issues instead of dragging debates into what he called “personality politics.”
“Senator, my academic papers are within the precinct of Parliament and were submitted to the vetting committee of the National Assembly twice. Discuss substance, not personalities,” Duale said, adding that his attention remains on pushing through health reforms.
The CS was reacting to comments Khalwale made a day earlier during a funeral in Mumias West, where the Senator tore into the Social Health Authority (SHA) and questioned Duale’s competence.
“This minister of yours, Duale, in his entire life, we don’t know what he studied. We don’t know whether he has a degree in herding camels or what kind of education he has,” Khalwale told mourners on September 6 during the burial of David Keya Watitwa, a schoolboy allegedly killed by the 42 Brothers gang.
Khalwale also linked Duale to the troubles facing St Mary’s Hospital, which was recently shut down. He argued that the facility’s woes stemmed from delayed reimbursements under the SHA, blaming the ministry for failing to provide solutions.
“Mr President, I’m a professional; listen to me. I’m telling you what other doctors want to say but don’t have the chance,” the senator, who is also a medical doctor, added.
Duale’s defense comes at a time the SHA is under scrutiny following reports of widespread fraud. Since the government launched a crackdown, 728 non-compliant health facilities have been shut, while 301 others were downgraded by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.
In June, 40 more facilities were suspended after forensic audits, with another 45 flagged for degazettement.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has since confirmed the formation of a multi-agency team to probe more than 1,000 files linked to suspected healthcare fraud involving individuals, entities, and institutions.