Duale officially takes over as health CS
Former Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has officially assumed office as the new CS in charge of the Ministry of Health.
In a formal handover ceremony on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Duale officially took office as CS for Health, succeeding Deborah Mulongo Barasa. In a statement, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing healthcare systems and providing quality services to all Kenyans.
“Today, Hon. Aden Bare Duale, EGH, officially assumes office as the Cabinet Secretary for Health during a handover ceremony from the outgoing Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa,” MOH’s statement reads.
“The Ministry of Health remains committed to strengthening healthcare systems and delivering quality services to all Kenyans.”
The hand-over ceremony was attended by the Ministry’s top leadership, led by Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni, Public Health and Professional Standards, and Harry Kimtai, Medical Services and PS State Department for Medical Services nominee Dr Fredrick Oluga.
Duale gets to work
As part of his inaugural works at the Ministry of Health, Duale has constituted a committee to help scrutinise and determine the legitimacy of pending bills owed to hospitals by the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Through a special gazette notice, CS Duale confirmed the formation of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Pending Medical Claims Verification Committee.
“The government has constituted the National Health Insurance Fund’s (@NhifKenya) Pending Medical Claims Verification Committee to address the backlog of unsettled medical claims,” Duale said.
According to the notice, the committee will be chaired by James Masiro Ojee, who will be deputised by Anne Wamae.
Members of the verification committee include Edward Kiplimo Bitok, Meshack Matengo, Meboh Atieno Awour, Tom Nyakaba, Catherine Karori Bosire, Paul Wafula, Catherine Mungania, James Oundo, Jackline Mukami Njiru, Judith Awinja and David Dawe.
They will be assisted by a secretariat comprising Peter Kitheka (Head of the Secretariat), Shawn Mogaka, Consolata Ogot (Dr.), Emmanuel Ayodi Lusigi (Dr.), Halima Yussuf, and Wilbert Kurgat.
KMPDU on Duale’s role
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Devji Atellah, while speaking in Kirinyaga County on Saturday, March 29, 2025, during the union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), signalled a potentially strained working relationship with Duale, citing his lack of understanding of medical professionals’ work.
Attellah recalled past difficulties in dealing with non-medical professionals in leadership, including former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha.
According to Attellah, Nakhumicha, who recently landed a diplomatic role in President William Ruto’s government, struggled to grasp critical aspects of healthcare, such as the role of doctors and interns.
This, KMPDU noted, led to ineffective policies.
He further warned that Duale, as a career politician, must avoid turning healthcare matters into political debates if he wants to succeed at the ministry and that he should go and learn if he does not understand the role of interns.
“The new CS must understand the role of interns. If he doesn’t, he should go and learn,” Atellah emphasised.
