Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has slammed the Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, saying that he should stop being 'arrogant' and seek advice from his juniors to see the seamless rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking during a public gathering in Kakamega on Saturday, April 19, the Senator, who claimed that the CS has shallow knowledge of the country's health sector and he should rely more on the Director of Medical Services Jackson Kioko and the Health Principal Secretary, Mary Muthoni, who have extensive knowledge of the sector, for SHA to work.
"I would like to tell the director of medical services and the PS health that you should go to the office of the health CS and tell him to listen to you because I'm sure that you are experts in the sector," he said.
"Go and tell him that the benefits of SHA are not evident when more people register; the benefits of SHA will be evident when citizens get quality healthcare services from the hospital," he added.
Additionally, Khalwale further said that he is willing to help and advise the CS on SHA rollout, given his medical background.
According to the Senator, the current form of the new health system is unstable and unable to live up to its promise.
"I'm a senior colleague because I'm a senior doctor, so you should ask me to contribute because we want SHA to work, because SHA in its present form cannot help Kenyans," he said.
Since transitioning from the Environment Ministry to the Health Ministry, Duale has faced strong opposition, especially from health stakeholders, many of whom have labelled him as unfit for office.
For instance, on Sunday, March 30, two days before the CS officially assumed office, Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah claimed that the CS lacked a solid understanding of the country's health sector.
Atellah claimed that Duale's immediate predecessor, Deborah Barasa, had a broader understanding of how to steer the docket than even former CS Susan Nakhumicha.
However, since his appointment by President William Ruto as the new health CS in March, Duale remains optimistic that he will be the game changer, especially in the streamlining of the controversial health system.
Speaking on Sunday, March 30, the CS assured he had engaged with the president on his mandate as the new health CS, with Ruto endorsing his decision to do whatever it takes to ensure SHA works.
"With the commitment of the president and my commitment, I want to assure Kenyans that universal healthcare is for all citizens. For those with personal interests, they had better come to their senses and decide whether they want to work for citizens or work for themselves," he added.
According to Duale, who appeared before the National Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, registration numbers have spiked in recent months, with an average of 40,000 new registrations daily, with counties in Central Kenya, including Nyeri, leading in the highest number of registrations countrywide.
