Within a span of two and half years, the Ministry of Health has had three Cabinet Secretaries under the Kenya Kwanza administration. 

Upon taking office on September 13, 2022, one of President William Ruto’s undertakings was to ensure Kenyans had access to affordable healthcare, an idea that had for long remained a pipe dream. 

First came the greenhorn in public service, Susan Nakhumicha, whom the President sent packing after a year and eight months of service when he dismissed his entire Cabinet (save for Chief CS Musalia Mudavadi) following nationwide anti-government protests over tax increases under the Finance Bill, 2024. 

Nakhumicha’s tenure was marred by challenges, including a 56-day doctors’ strike that crippled healthcare services nationwide, the Herculean task of midwifing a new public health insurance scheme under the Social Health Authority and containing cartels at Afya house. 

Nakhumicha’s replacement, Dr Deborah Basara, whose appointment was hailed by the medical fraternity as a major milestone, had barely been in office for eight months when she was jerked out and replaced by one of Ruto’s closest allies – Aden Duale. 

With this frequent turnover of leadership in this ministry, the health sector seems to be caught up in a cycle of disruption not beneficial for citizens who depend on public healthcare. 

Leadership stability in the ministry is not just important – it is essential for long-term planning, policy implementation, and the maintenance of continuity.  

A sudden reshuffle has always left the ministry in a state of flux, with policies being altered, abandoned, or reintroduced.  

When a new CS comes in, they often need time to familiarizse themselves with existing challenges, programmes, and personnel. This transition period is known to result in delays, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities to address pressing health issues. 

The change of guard at Afya House has now become a game of musical chairs aimed at soothing political egos at the expense of delivery of services to Kenyans. 

With every new CS, there is a risk of sending mixed signals to healthcare workers, citizens, and international partners who may be unsure of the direction the ministry is taking. 

Additionally, each new leader comes with a different style, priorities, and possibly a new team. 

As it stands, the revolving door of Health CS appointments risks derailing the ministry’s efforts to tackle the structural and infrastructural issues that plague the healthcare system, from scarcity of medical staff to obsolete facilities and broken-down structures.