Ex-CS Sicily Kariuki: Refusing Ksh10M bribe made me a marked woman
Former Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has accused leaders serving in the current government of sponsoring her political downfall.
Speaking to Kameme TV on Monday, August 25, 2025, Kariuki narrated a series of challenges she faced during her tenure at the Ministry of Health, saying powerful figures within the government then conspired to impeach her but failed.
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Kariuki recalled how former President Uhuru Kenyatta entrusted her with the responsibility of tackling entrenched health cartels, a task she says exposed her to intense hostility.
“When former President Uhuru Kenyatta decided that I would tackle health cartels fully, I was shaken but also had a thought that he had confidence in me.
“In MoH, you can’t know if they are cartels there until you are greeted with money. Since I was born, I have never seen someone carry Ksh10 million with a briefcase to greet me, but I refused. Refusing means war,” Kariuki said.
Kariuki claims betrayal
She said that cartels at the time orchestrated her troubles in Parliament, sponsoring efforts to impeach her despite her resistance to corruption.
“I was fought by the cartels to a point that an impeachment against me was drafted and presented in the parliament. You see, these people in this government, the top ones, are the ones who attempted to plot my downfall.
“They spent a lot of money because they used a lot of money to have me removed, even though I survived. The MPs were taken on a trip to Mombasa,” she added.
According to Kariuki, her survival at the ministry was only possible because of former Majority Leader Aden Duale, who shielded her from being ousted after she was reprimanded by then-President Kenyatta before the MPs debated on the removal.
Plea to Mt Kenya
Kariuki further made a passionate plea to the Mt Kenya region, urging residents to stay united and resist leaders who use money and intimidation to silence voices fighting for accountability.
She said history was repeating itself, with President William Ruto now using similar tactics to isolate and punish leaders unwilling to play by his rules.
Her revelations add to the growing list of former allies and officials who have accused the Head of State of betrayal and political manipulation.
Kariuki said she still stands firm on the need for clean leadership and remains hopeful the region will rally behind truth and integrity.
