A faction of President William Ruto’s allies from Ukambani have vocally defended Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who is currently facing impeachment threats from legislators aligned to the Kenya Moja coalition.
The impeachment move stems from allegations of corruption within the Social Health Authority (SHA), Kenya’s restructured health financing agency.
Led by UDA National Organising Secretary and Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya, the Ukambani leaders dismissed the impeachment threats as a politically motivated scheme by entrenched “corruption cartels” resisting reform in the health sector.
Speaking during a boda boda empowerment programme in Kitui East Constituency and insisted that the ruling coalition would block any attempts to remove him.
Kawaya highlighted ongoing investigations into the SHA, noting that billions of shillings have been siphoned through fraudulent claims, payments to ghost facilities, and collusion between rogue health workers and unscrupulous clinics.
According to reports, some health facilities allegedly submitted fake patient records and inflated invoices, unjustly draining public funds intended to benefit ordinary Kenyans.
“The government must act swiftly to close all facilities implicated in the theft of SHA money. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) should prefer charges without delay. We cannot allow criminals to cripple healthcare services through corruption,” Kawaya asserted.
UDA nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda supported Kawaya’s stance, warning that the anti-corruption campaign must not be selective.
She emphasised that those who contributed to the collapse of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and are now operating within the SHA must be held accountable in full.
The host of the event, Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai, together with Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai, reaffirmed their backing of Ruto’s leadership.
They praised his government’s reforms, urging Kenyans to support initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery and empowering communities.
Both MPs described the impeachment threats as politically motivated efforts designed to derail the administration’s progress on restoring integrity in public service.
Facing mounting pressure, Duale has vowed to remain steadfast in delivering Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
On Monday, in a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter), Duale dismissed his critics and reiterated his commitment to transforming Kenya’s health sector.
“Dirty water does not stop a plant from growing. So don’t let negative words stop your progress,” he wrote.
The SHA, which replaced the controversial NHIF, is a key pillar in the government’s push for universal health access.
However, the authority has recently come under increased scrutiny amid allegations of payments to ghost health facilities, fictitious claims, and systemic corruption — issues that have sparked public outrage and demanded swift action.
