Nairobi, October 14- A fiery altercation between Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi briefly disrupted a National Assembly Health Committee sitting on Tuesday, after a heated exchange over the closure of two health facilities.
The session spiraled into chaos when Duale accused Kibagendi of being connected to hospitals that were recently shut down over alleged fraud. The MP, however, dismissed the claims, insisting he does not own any medical facilities.
“I have closed your hospitals,” Duale declared, prompting an angry response from Kibagendi, who shot back, “I have no hospitals and have never owned even a dispensary.” The MP went on to accuse the CS of arrogance, saying, “You cannot come here to lecture us. Who are you? Just because you are the President’s friend?”
Committee chairperson James Nyikal of Seme repeatedly tried to calm the situation, but his calls for order were ignored as both leaders continued shouting over each other. Duale maintained his accusations, warning that those involved in fraudulent operations would face legal action.
The confrontation escalated further when Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge clashed with Duale, who accused her of intimidation and claimed that several committee members also owned hospitals a conflict of interest, he argued. “Some members here have facilities,” Duale said. “If you want me to name them, I will. They should not be sitting on this committee.”
Defending himself, Duale added, “I have lived here for 20 years. Nobody can bully me, particularly those who are conflicted.”
After the session, MP Kibagendi took to Facebook to explain his side of the story, accusing Duale of using false allegations to dodge accountability regarding issues within the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“Every time I question him about the rot in SHA, he starts claiming I own hospitals he has closed,” Kibagendi wrote. “Let him show proof of which hospitals I supposedly own, when they were registered, and who runs them. Then maybe he can finally answer our questions.”
By the end of the tense exchange, only three legislators remained in the room to proceed with the committee’s business.
