Nairobi

Tensions flared in Parliament on Tuesday after a fiery exchange between Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi brought a National Assembly Health Committee session to a halt.

The confrontation erupted as MPs grilled Duale over alleged irregularities within the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the closure of several health facilities.

According to eyewitness accounts, the heated scene began when Duale accused Kibagendi of being linked to two hospitals shut down over alleged fraud.

“I have closed your hospitals,” Duale shouted across the room.

Kibagendi quickly fired back:

“I have no hospitals, and I have never owned even a dispensary,” he retorted, accusing the CS of deflecting questions.

The exchange grew more intense as Kibagendi accused Duale of hiding behind political connections.

“You cannot come and lecture us. Who are you? Just because you are the President’s friend?” the MP said sharply.

Committee chairperson James Nyikal, who represents Seme, struggled to restore order as the shouting match spiralled.

Duale doubled down, saying,

“We have closed your hospitals, and if possible, we will charge you in a court of law.”

Moments later, the CS clashed with Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge, accusing her of intimidation and bias. He went on to allege that several members of the Health Committee owned medical facilities, claiming this posed a conflict of interest.

“Some of the members of this committee have facilities. If you want me to name them, I will. They should not be in this committee,” Duale said defiantly.

Despite Nyikal’s attempts to steer the session back to order, the shouting continued until most lawmakers walked out — leaving only three MPs in the room to proceed.

Aftermath and Accusations

Shortly after the session, Kibagendi took to Facebook, accusing Duale of using false claims to evade accountability.

“Each time I ask CS Duale hard questions about SHA, he quickly switches to saying he has closed my hospitals — which I don’t even know,” he wrote.

He challenged the CS to publicly name the hospitals he allegedly owns and “provide proof before answering questions about the rot in SHA.”

The Social Health Authority, a new body under the government’s universal health reforms, has faced mounting scrutiny over its management, transparency, and potential conflicts of interest within the Ministry of Health.

The latest clash highlights growing tension between the Executive and Parliament over accountability in public health reforms — a debate likely to intensify in the coming weeks.