The growing tension at the Ministry of Health headquarters between Cabinet Secretary for Health Deborah Barasa and Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai appears to have taken a political turn after a group of legislators from the Western region stepped in and issued ultimatums.
Speaking during a press conference at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, lawmakers from Bungoma County, led by John Waluke and Jack Wamboka, decried what they termed a deliberate scheme by individuals within the government to frustrate CS Barasa.
According to the legislators, a recently reappointed Cabinet Secretary has allegedly teamed up with the Health PS to undermine Barasa’s leadership.
The MPs vowed to take up the matter, suggesting that Barasa could be a victim of tribalism within the government.
Additionally, the MPs claimed that there was a money scandal within the ministry, involving the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund(NHIF) that the orchestrators of the witchhunt were relying on to target the CS.
"They have pilfered public resources at the Ministry, and that is why they are attempting to use that former Cabinet Minister who was recently reappointed to undermine her. This country belongs to all Kenyans," Waluke stated.
Furthermore, the legislators raised concerns over PS Kimtai’s revocation of certain appointments made by CS Barasa, arguing that it was a calculated move to undermine her authority.
In January, tensions peaked when PS Kimtai appointed former Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) boss Andrew Mulwa to lead the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP).
However, the decision was swiftly overturned by his superior, the Health CS, further fuelling the power struggle within the ministry.
The MPs warned that they would strongly oppose any attempts to push Barasa out of office, especially amid growing speculation of an impending Cabinet reshuffle.
They also declared that if these actions were part of the broader government realignments, they would withdraw their support for the unity pact between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers warned the Medical Services PS to stick to his job description and avoid interfering with the work of the CS.
"They are lucky they were given appointments by the President, so they should focus on their job descriptions. Let each of them do their jobs—if it is the PS, he should do his work, the same as the CS who was recently appointed," Waluke added.
