A section of lawmakers has alleged that influential individuals within the Ministry of Health are actively sabotaging Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa in an attempt to have her removed from office.
The MPs further cited the strained relationship between the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, and the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muriuki, as a major obstacle preventing the ministry from effectively fulfilling its mandate.
The legislators, under the Western Region Caucus, also claimed that a certain Cabinet Secretary is pushing for Barasa’s ouster ahead of an impending government reshuffle.
MPs Wamboka Wanami (Bumula), Majibo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), John Chikati (Tongaren), John Walukhe (Sirisia), and Martin Wayonyi (Webuye East) declared that they would not stand by and allow Barasa to be undermined, insisting that she holds the position by right. They further warned that should she be forced out, they would reconsider their support for the broad-based government.
The legislators alleged that powerful cartels embedded in government have been waging a sustained campaign to tarnish Barasa’s reputation in a bid to influence the appointing authority to dismiss her.
Additionally, they claimed that individuals who had infiltrated the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) are retaliating against Barasa’s leadership, determined to place one of their own at the helm of the ministry.
Chikati stated: “We are here to voice our concerns about the Ministry of Health. We are aware of the existence of cartels working behind the scenes to paint the Health CS as incompetent, a move we strongly oppose.”
He added: “We know these individuals, and if they persist in their schemes, we shall soon expose their names. We are urging them to leave the minister alone—she is fully capable of running the ministry.”
These revelations come at a time when President William Ruto is expected to announce a reshuffle of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries to align with the broad-based government.
The anticipated changes follow the recently signed cooperation agreement between President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. The two leaders formalised the deal at KICC in Nairobi on Friday, paving the way for significant restructuring within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, the MPs claimed that the situation in the Ministry of Health has deteriorated to the extent that decisions made by Barasa are being overturned by Principal Secretaries.
They cited the appointment of Andrew Mulwa to head the National AIDS & STI Control Programme (NASCOP) as an example of this interference. Barasa had revoked Mulwa’s nomination, yet the Principal Secretary for Medical Services proceeded to issue an internal memo formally authorising Mulwa’s deployment to NASCOP with immediate effect.
Walukhe asserted that the same cartels responsible for siphoning funds from the now-defunct NHIF are behind the ongoing crisis in the ministry.
He said: “We know what is happening in the Ministry of Health. One PS is orchestrating all of this. We will name her. You know who she is. These cartels have stolen public funds, and that is why they are engaging in these activities.”
Kalasinga decried the move, stating that it was unacceptable for a Principal Secretary to override a Cabinet Secretary’s decision.
He said: “We cannot allow a minister to be frustrated to the point where she is unable to perform her duties. We fought for and formed this Kenya Kwanza government. If these actions are being justified under the broad-based government arrangement, we will not stand for it.”
He added: “I have seen people fighting this woman. In Luhya culture, we do not fight women. We are warning those responsible to stop interfering and allow her to do her job.”
