CS Kagwe Promises More Sackings in Ministry of Health Shake Up

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addresses a press conference on Covid-19 in Nairobi in March 2020
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addresses a press conference on Covid-19 in Nairobi in March 2020
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Health CS Mutahi Kagwe on Thursday night, April 30, issued a statement addressing some of the issues that have seemingly made Kenyans lose confidence in him.

In a long statement on his Facebook page, Mutahi assured Kenyans that he was still focused on saving lives in the most efficient way and containing the spread of Covid-19.

Kagwe stated that reports claiming there was a misappropriation of Covid-19 funds should be treated as propaganda.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe when he held a consultative meeting on Covid-19 response with officials from the ministry,  the Kenya Healthcare Federation and CEOs from the Kenya Association of Private Hospitals at Afya House on Thursday, March 26, 2020.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe when he held a consultative meeting on Covid-19 response with officials from the ministry, the Kenya Healthcare Federation and CEOs from the Kenya Association of Private Hospitals at Afya House on Thursday, March 26, 2020.
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"As a Kenyan, I too have been disappointed by leaders who fail us for reasons that span inefficiency to corruption. The allegations you are seeing are based on this trend: public scepticism and pessimism. I get it. 

"And so I am here to let you know that among us is a cohort that believes in exploitation and that thinks that by spreading lies, innuendo and propaganda, I will be intimidated and worse, lose the trust of you - the Kenyan -  who believes in our cause and my integrity," he wrote.

He warned that he would not be sidetracked by mischievous people who wanted to spread propaganda.

"I am no greenhorn; I have seen such mischief before, wasn’t intimated then and will not be intimidated now. Watch my actions, they will illustrate this," he affirmed.

Further, he promised Kenyans that Covid-19 funds would not be stolen under his watch, adding that he would fire anyone associated with misuse of money if at all it was true.

"There will be no theft of Covid-19 resources under my watch and if there is any truth regarding the misuse of Covid-19 funds, beyond being disheartened, I guarantee you that those responsible will be out of the ministry faster than we can blink," he stated.

He concluded by stating that he would sanitize the healthcare system.

Mutahi, whom many have come to love for his effective communication and hands-on approach when dealing with the pandemic, had started losing the trust of a section of Kenyans when questions were raised on the expenditure of a Ksh1 billion donation from the World Bank to fight Covid-19. 

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe launches the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Diagnostic and Reporting Centre, Nairobi in February 2020 as Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi (behind) watches
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe launches the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Diagnostic and Reporting Centre, Nairobi in February 2020 as Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi (behind) watches
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