Kenya Moja MPs push to oust Duale in Parliament showdown

A fierce political clash is brewing in Parliament as Kenya Moja coalition lawmakers demand the resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, accusing him of presiding over a collapsing health system consumed by corruption and mismanagement.

The legislators have vowed to initiate his impeachment once Parliament resumes, insisting he must answer for alleged fraud at the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Reports of payments to ghost health facilities and fictitious claims are said to have drained billions intended for patient care, sparking outrage among critics.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna declared that the coalition already has the numbers to force Duale out. “When Parliament reconvenes, a motion will be tabled. Duale must take political responsibility for the theft of taxpayers’ money at SHA,” Sifuna said.

Other lawmakers painted an even darker picture of the ongoing crisis. Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba faulted the government for neglecting public health needs. “As you play your political games, 156 children are being born every hour and many risk dying because of a crumbling health system,” she said.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi was more scathing, accusing the Executive of ignoring citizens’ plight. “Since the President has failed to act, we will. You have stolen everything else, but leave Kenyans with their right to health,” he declared.

Duale, however, has rejected calls for his resignation, defending his decision to suspend certain SHA payments. He argued the move was necessary to dismantle fraud networks, adding that some MPs were complicit in the scam. “The clean-up is painful, but it must be done,” he said.

The push for his removal has deepened political divisions, with Kenya Kwanza lawmakers rallying to his side. They contend that instead of being condemned, the CS should be backed for taking on entrenched cartels.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, speaking at a rally in Makueni, recalled past scandals at NHIF, saying, “We all know the rot that was happening, where small clinics pocketed more than major hospitals. Anyone sabotaging reforms that benefit citizens does not deserve to walk freely among them.”

South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro echoed the defence, stressing that corruption in health stretched far beyond SHA. He vowed that cartels in Parliament, governors’ offices, and other state agencies would also be exposed.

The looming impeachment motion now threatens to reshape political alignments, with Kenya Moja branding itself as a “third force” determined to hold both the Executive and the Opposition accountable. For Duale, the weeks ahead will determine whether he survives the onslaught or succumbs to growing calls for his removal from the health docket.