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Health CS Aden Duale has reiterated the important role played by schools in ensuring integration among Kenyans.

Speaking during the official opening of the 62nd National Science and Engineering Fair at Garissa High School on Monday, Duale underscored the critical role educational institutions play in fostering national cohesion.

The annual fair, which brings together students from across the country, served as a fitting platform for his message on unity and shared identity.

Duale, an alumnus of the school and the chief guest, emphasised that the foundation for unity must be laid within the school system.

He noted that schools provide a unique environment where learners from diverse cultural, ethnic, and regional backgrounds interact, making them ideal spaces to nurture integration.

“I want to take this opportunity to ask teachers and education stakeholders to actively promote inclusivity and a sense of belonging among students. You are very important people in society, and the roles you play in not only nurturing our people to be good citizens cannot be overstated,” he said.

At the same event, the Health CS called on teachers to register all learners under the Social Health Authority (SHA), assuring them that the process is free and beneficial to both students and institutions.

“I want to tell teachers, please register all the children of Kenya in your schools under SHA. Do the same with your dispensaries by registering them with SHA. You don’t need to pay. You will receive capitation funds so that any child who goes to a hospital for outpatient services is not required to pay,” he said.

Duale explained that government-supported health facilities are already equipped to provide free primary healthcare services, and registration under SHA would ensure seamless access for students.

“Every dispensary and every health center providing free primary healthcare is funded by the government. These facilities have clear service charters. All you need to do is to register your children and students,” he added.

The Cabinet Secretary also took the opportunity to commend the working relationship within the broad-based government, attributing its effectiveness to the strong rapport among Cabinet Secretaries who previously served together in Parliament.

He cited his working relationship with Treasury CS John Mbadi and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi as an example of this cohesion.

“The beauty of the broad-based government is that we have good chemistry among ourselves as Cabinet Secretaries. This comes from having worked together before. John Mbadi was the Minority Leader when I was the Majority Leader. The same applies to Opiyo Wandayi,” Duale said.

He referenced a recent engagement with the National Treasury in which he advocated for the ring-fencing of capitation funds and immunisation budgets, highlighting the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration in delivering essential public services.

The one-week National Science and Engineering Fair, being hosted in the region for the first time, continues to stand out as a key platform for showcasing student innovation while also promoting unity by bringing together young minds from across Kenya’s diverse regions.