Health CS Duale is Unfit for Office - KMPDU Boss Declares

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah says that he is skeptical that the new health cabinet secretary, Aden Duale, will handle the weight of the Health Ministry.

Addressing the media on Sunday, March 30, Atellah said that Duale lacks a solid understanding of how the country's health sector operates.

Atellah further noted that Duale's immediate predecessor, Deborah Barasa, had a broader understanding of how to steer the docket than even former CS Susan Nakhumicha.

"If you look back to the previous interactions we had with a non-doctor, which was Susan Nakhumicha, she called for the strike last year, and this is because she could not understand the role of doctors and the role of interns. Even the need to have a functional healthcare, she was strongly politicising every issue of healthcare," he said.

"When we had Deborah, it was the first time in the history of the union that an issued strike notice failed to materialise because she understood the role of doctors and what needed to be done," he added.

Atellah, in a heavy tone,  warned that Duale should refrain from repeating Nakhumicha's mistake of politicising the sector and focus more on how the Social Health Authority(SHA) will work for everybody.

Additionally, Atellah said that Duale should understand and learn the key issues affecting medics in the country, such as the welfare of interns and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which have long been the triggers for medical strikes in the country.

"We don't participate in politics we only participate in withholding our skills and therefore no amount of politics can solve the issues that are pending and one of them is the issue of interns and the CBA we have been fighting about, so if he doesn't understand, he should go and learn," he said.

Atellah's statement comes moments after Duale vowed to crack down on cartels who he says have played a key role in sabotaging the government's efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.

Speaking on Sunday, March 30, the CS assured he has engaged with President William Ruto on his mandate as the new health CS, with the President endorsing his decision to do whatever it takes to ensure SHA works.

With the commitment of the president and my commitment, I want to assure Kenyans that universal healthcare is for all citizens," the CS announced.

"For those with personal interests, they better come to their senses and decide whether they want to work for citizens or work for themselves," he added.