A National Assembly Health Committee session on Tuesday erupted into chaos as Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi engaged in a heated confrontation, temporarily halting the committee’s proceedings.
The clash began when Kibagendi accused Duale of trying to intimidate and interfere with the committee’s work. “You cannot intimidate this committee. We are not your children for you to dictate how we run our business,” Kibagendi said, prompting a sharp reply from the Cabinet Secretary.
“You cannot intimidate me. I have already acted on issues concerning your hospitals, and I will not reopen them,” Duale responded, dismissing the MP’s claims as unfounded. The exchange intensified as both leaders accused each other of misconduct, forcing Committee Chair James Nyikal to intervene multiple times to restore order.
At one point, Kibagendi turned his frustration to the chairperson, alleging bias in the handling of the session. “Mr Chairman, this is not you. You’ve allowed the Cabinet Secretary to take over this meeting,” he said. Nyikal denied the allegation and insisted he was in control.
When Kibagendi refused to yield, Nyikal ordered the sergeants-at-arms to escort the MP from the room. Even as he left, the verbal clash between Duale and Kibagendi continued, leaving other members visibly unsettled.
Earlier in the meeting, Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge also challenged Duale, accusing him of attempting to dictate how the committee should operate.
The Health Cabinet Secretary appeared before the committee to respond to issues raised in a report on challenges faced by Kenyans in accessing services under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
However, he declined to answer some questions, arguing that he had not been given sufficient time to review the documents. “The rules of the House require that a person be given adequate time to respond. I need at least seven days to prepare,” Duale said.
Kibagendi later accused Duale of a conflict of interest and called for him to be declared a hostile witness.
Duale countered by stating he would write to the Speaker of the National Assembly seeking Kibagendi’s removal from the committee, claiming the MP had links to health facilities under investigation.
Kibagendi denied owning any such facilities and challenged the Cabinet Secretary to provide evidence.
The tense session also drew the attention of Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who chairs the Council of Governors’ Health Committee. The meeting took place at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.