Duale warns of fake drugs, calls for zero tolerance on corruption

Health CS Aden Duale speaks when he presided over the Performance Contract signing ceremony for the Financial Year 2024/2025. (X/Ministry of Health)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Wednesday, April 9, 2025

He attributed the surge in counterfeit medicines to corruption. He urged all Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) and regulatory bodies under the Ministry of Health to uphold integrity at all levels.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has raised the alarm over the prevalence of counterfeit and substandard medicines, warning that they are costing the lives of Kenyans.

Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday during the Performance Contract signing ceremony for the Financial Year 2024/2025, Duale called on regulators to stop allowing poor-quality medical products into the country.

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He attributed the surge in counterfeit medicines to corruption. He urged all Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) and regulatory bodies under the Ministry of Health to uphold integrity at all levels.

“We will not allow substandard, counterfeit drugs into our country because of corruption. There are many doctors here — why is the maternal mortality rate in Kenya still very high, despite years of heavy investment?” he posed.

“Why are our women dying while giving birth? Why are our neighbouring countries performing better than us?”

Health CS Aden Duale when he presided over the FY 2024/2025 Performance Contract signing with SAGAs and Regulatory Bodies under the Ministry of Health. (X/Aden Duale)

The Health CS emphasised the deadly consequences of using ineffective medication in critical situations.

“It is because the drug we use to stop them (mothers) from bleeding is the wrong drug,” he said. “If you are a regulator and you’re sitting here, you have a choice to make between personal gain and the national interest.”

Duale also stressed the need for innovation, efficiency, and responsible resource utilisation, especially in the face of resource constraints and the recent US Government Stop Work Order, effective from 19 January 2025.

He highlighted the importance of supporting the Ministry’s Planning Department and ensuring timely and accurate performance reporting.

He noted that performance contracting helps set clear, measurable targets aligned with national priorities and fosters a culture of accountability across ministries, departments, and agencies.

“We are at a critical juncture in the health sector,” he said. “The expectations placed upon us by the President and the people of Kenya are high — especially as we work towards implementing the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) schemes under TaifaCare.”