A heated showdown unfolded in Nairobi on Tuesday when Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi openly clashed during a session of the National Assembly Health Committee.
The row erupted over the abrupt closure of two health facilities allegedly implicated in fraud, with Duale accusing Kibagendi of ties to the facilities; the MP forcefully denied owning any hospitals or dispensaries.
As the committee convened to probe alleged irregularities in the Social Health Authority (SHA) system—a high-stakes project at the centre of billions of shillings in contracts and payments—the tension escalated rapidly.
Duale, flanked by health officials and under mounting pressure from fellow legislators demanding accountability, suddenly pointed his finger at the MP and shouted over the chamber, “I have closed your hospitals.” The minister’s tone was hard and direct, leaving no room for misunderstanding that he believed Kibagendi was deeply involved.
Some MPs gasped, others leaned forward, and a brief hush fell across the committee before the MP responded.
Kibagendi, visibly roused, rejected the accusations immediately and with vehement denial. “I have no hospitals and I have never owned even a dispensary,” he declared firmly. His voice echoed across the chamber, cutting through the tension.
He then turned to Duale and said, “That is the strategy you use to hide. You need to answer questions. We are not your children; you cannot come and lecture us. Who are you? Just because you are the President’s friend.” The MP’s sharp retort drew murmurs from other members, some nodding in agreement, others glancing bewildered.
The confrontation laid bare more than just personal animosity. MPs had summoned the Health CS to explain alleged mismanagement, procurement irregularities, and lack of transparency in how SHA contracts were awarded and payments handled.
The SHA system is designed to digitize and streamline health payments in public facilities—an ambitious endeavor, but one now mired in accusations. Many parliamentarians and civil society actors argue that large sums of money flowed without rigorous oversight, fueling suspicion and anger.
In recent months, several private health facilities have been shut down by the Ministry of Health on suspicion of billing fraud tied to SHA claims.
Those closures, explained by the ministry as necessary crackdowns on corruption, have drawn heat on both administrators and lawmakers. By publicly naming an MP in the committee hearing, Duale raised the stakes, bringing political accountability into the spotlight.
For Kibagendi, whose reputation and relationship with his constituents rest heavily on trust, the accusation represented an assault on his integrity.
The atmosphere in the committee was thick with tension long after the outburst. Some MPs urged calmer heads to prevail, while others demanded that Duale withdraw his claims or back them with evidence.
A few called for deeper investigations and stronger institutional checks—no fewer than two indicated their support for motions that could lead to possible sanctions or inquiries. Health ministry officials, silent observers until then, looked down at their documents, unsure where to begin.
By the time the session adjourned, legislators had already scheduled further sittings, called for additional witnesses, and insisted that forensic teams and audit agencies be dragged into the fray.
Duale has warned that those found complicit could face legal consequences, and Kibagendi hinted at responding in kind if allegations were pursued without proof.
The clash has now amplified the SHA debate from technical oversight into a political turf war—one that promises to unravel deeper issues around accountability, power, and how public health funds are managed in Kenya.
In the days ahead, all eyes will be on the Health Committee’s next moves, statements from the Ministry of Health, any involvement from the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the outcome of parliamentary investigations.
What was supposed to be a routine oversight meeting has transformed into a defining moment for Kenya’s health sector — one where reputations, public trust, and governance stand under intense scrutiny.
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