Duale Refutes Gachagua Sha Claims

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has declared that he will not be intimidated in his efforts to deliver on his mandate.

This is amid an escalating public spat with former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua over the management of the Social Health Authority (SHA).

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Duale dismissed allegations by Gachagua that he is involved in corruption within the government’s health insurance system under Universal Health Coverage.

The CS spoke in Garissa town when he presided over the 3rd graduation ceremony at Hawa Kosar Islamic Centre, High School level.

Gachagua has been a vocal critic of the SHA, claiming it is being used to siphon billions of public funds.

The former deputy president also alleged that Duale owns shares in Convergence Network Limited, claims the Health CS has repeatedly challenged him to substantiate.

“I have publicly dared Gachagua, repeatedly, to produce a CR12 document from the Business Registration Service. Unfortunately, you have not done this to date,” Duale said.

The CS accused Gachagua of peddling falsehoods and insisted he would not be distracted from his duties.

“I want to tell Gachagua that I am done with you. I will sort you out. I will expose your lies and your entire campaign that is built on lies. I want to tell you while in Garissa that you and your group will not intimidate me at all,” he said.

Duale also revisited a separate dispute involving Gachagua and his late brother’s will. He said he had challenged the former deputy president to provide evidence to counter claims that he altered it, something he said has not been done.

On the fight against fraud in the health sector, Duale said the ministry has shut down 12 health facilities since March 30 following investigations by SHA forensic auditors.

“Since March 30, 12 facilities have been shut down over alleged fraud, with 24 currently under forensic audit and 250 under investigation by the DCI,” Duale said.

“When they speak in their mother tongue, Uhuru Kenyatta Gachagua, they are defending their community. I will speak in the Somali language to defend the Somali community. I will defend President William Ruto in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening,” Duale said.

The CS further affirmed his commitment to defending Ruto’s administration and the Somali community, saying he would not apologise for doing so.

He also issued a firm warning against fraud targeting the SHA. He noted that five counties—Homa Bay, Bungoma, Mandera, Wajir and Kisii—have already been flagged for suspicious medical claims, largely from privately owned facilities.

He said the affected institutions, both public and private, had been implicated in serious fraudulent activities.

Duale further disclosed that 30 case files have so far been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. In addition, 18 facilities are currently in court.

In total, more than 1,000 facilities have been closed.

"I want to tell the owners of these hospitals that political parties will not help you. Social media is not aware of the magnitude of the fraud that you have committed,” he added.