Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale took a sharp political swipe at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, escalating tensions even as he attended a religious empowerment event in Wajir South.
Speaking during a Waqf fundraising initiative hosted by Wajir South MP Mohammed Adow, Duale accused Gachagua of lacking the moral authority to criticise government programmes, urging him to first address alleged personal and family disputes.
The CS’s remarks appeared to be in response to recent criticism of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has remained a subject of political debate.
Duale used the platform to defend SHA, highlighting what he described as major gains in healthcare financing and access.
He said more than KSh 19 billion has been channelled towards primary healthcare, while total disbursements have reached KSh 121 billion—figures he noted surpass those recorded under the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“he initiative seeks to mobilize resources for the purchase of land and construction of a permanent Waqf project in Nairobi’s South C, ensuring sustainable support for religious education and strengthening institutions under the foundation,’ he said.
He added that over 30 million Kenyans have been registered under SHA, significantly expanding access to healthcare compared to NHIF’s approximately 3 million beneficiaries.
Despite the political undertones, the event focused on supporting the Al-Nibras Foundation’s madrasa programmes, with leaders mobilising resources to establish a permanent Waqf project in Nairobi’s South C to sustain religious education.
Duale also called on leaders to invest in community-driven initiatives, saying such programmes play a critical role in strengthening social institutions and expanding opportunities, particularly in marginalised regions.
