Health committee session turns chaotic as Duale clashes with MP Kibagendi over SHA probe
Duale, appearing agitated, warned that he would not allow members to “extort or blackmail” his ministry.
A parliamentary session between the National Assembly Departmental Committee of Health and the Ministry of Health turned chaotic on Tuesday after a heated exchange erupted between Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi during deliberations on the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The confrontation, which took place at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, began when MPs accused the Cabinet Secretary of attempting to intimidate members who sought to question the ministry’s operations.
More To Read
- SHA Board names new senior management team to strengthen healthcare oversight
- SHA begins review of cancer benefit package after patients’ protest
- SHA directs Kenyans to verify hospital records amid fraud concerns
- Senate probes Kang’ata Care over use of Sh172 million health funds
- MPs pledge to raise cancer treatment cover to Sh1 million amid concerns over inadequate SHA funding
- Mental health services now covered under SHA - CS Duale
“You will not intimidate this committee. We are not your children for you to come and give us lectures,” Kibagendi said, prompting murmurs of agreement from several members.
However, Duale fired back, accusing the legislator of having a conflict of interest, alleging that his ministry had previously shut down some hospitals linked to Kibagendi.
“You are conflicted. You should not even be sitting in this committee. We have closed some of your hospitals and will close even more,” Duale said.
Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi kicked out of the Health Committee after heated exchange with Health CS Aden Duale over SHA fraud. pic.twitter.com/N3Wzi5Zra5
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) October 14, 2025
But Kibagendi dismissed the accusation, insisting he does not own any hospital in Kenya and accused the CS of resorting to political theatrics instead of addressing serious policy matters.
“I don’t own a hospital. You can charge me if you have evidence. You are the people stealing from SHA. You and your friends are the thieves,” Kibagendi fired back, drawing further tension in the room.
Duale, appearing agitated, warned that he would not allow members to “extort or blackmail” his ministry.
“I will not allow you to extort and blackmail the minister,” he said, drawing further outrage from committee members.
As tempers flared, committee chairperson James Nyikal struggled to restore order. Kibagendi accused him of failing to maintain neutrality, claiming the chair had allowed Duale to take control of the proceedings.
“You are not running this committee. You are allowing Duale to direct you. You are living on borrowed values, Mr Chairman,” Kibagendi said.
Nyikal dismissed the claims and ordered the sergeants-at-arms to escort the legislator out of the session after he refused to yield. Even as he exited, Kibagendi continued exchanging words with Duale, leaving the meeting in disarray.
Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge also questioned the chair’s impartiality, wondering why only Kibagendi had been reprimanded while Duale was allowed to remain.
“The shouting has been between the two. Why are you kicking out Kibagendi and leaving the CS seated here?” she posed.
The dramatic scenes overshadowed the main agenda of the session, which was to discuss the committee’s findings on challenges faced by Kenyans in accessing health services under the SHA.
Nyikal had earlier presented the committee’s report, based on visits to ten hospitals, which highlighted irregular reimbursements, unpaid claims, and disparities between service costs and SHA compensation rates. The report further noted that faith-based and oncology facilities were especially struggling due to delayed and inadequate payments.
Duale dismissed the report as unfair and requested seven days to submit a written response. He noted that he had not been given adequate time to review the documents tabled before him.
“The rules of the House require that a person be given adequate time to respond. I need at least seven days to prepare,” Duale said.
The session, which Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir also attended in his capacity as chair of the Council of Governors’ Health Committee, ended abruptly after several MPs staged a walkout, leaving only three members to continue with proceedings.
Top Stories Today
