Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has defended his academic record following sharp criticism from Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who questioned his educational background during a rally in Kakamega on Saturday, September 7, 2025.

Responding through a post on his X account on Sunday, Duale said his certificates had already been tabled before Parliament and vetted more than once. He dismissed Khalwale’s remarks as a diversion from the real issues in the health sector.

“Senator, my academic papers are within the precinct of Parliament (Hansard and committee reports) and submitted to the vetting committee of the National Assembly twice. Discuss substance not personalities,” Duale wrote.

He added that he has always respected Parliament and its leadership and intends to remain focused on reforms in the Ministry of Health.

“My focus is on health reforms. Period,” he said.

Duale’s response comes after Khalwale accused him of hiding his educational qualifications while addressing mourners in Ibuchifi village, Mumias West. The senator was attending the burial of schoolboy David Keya Watitwa, a victim of the criminal gang known as the 42 Brothers.

During his speech, Khalwale told President William Ruto that Kenyans did not know what Duale had studied, contrasting him with locals whose academic qualifications were clear.

“Huyu waziri wako Duale, ambaye katika maisha yake, wakenya hatujui alisomea nini,” he said.

SHA crisis fuels clash

The senator linked the uncertainty around Duale’s background to his handling of the Social Health Insurance (SHA) Fund crisis, which has left St Mary’s Hospital in Mumias closed. He accused the CS of paying out large sums to other facilities while delaying reimbursements owed to the mission hospital.

The public exchange has drawn attention to the ongoing debate over the SHA scheme, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Several hospitals across the country have reported cash flow challenges, with some warning they may close unless the government resolves delays in disbursements.

Khalwale and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya have both demanded urgent reforms and accountability from the ministry. While Khalwale has raised questions about the CS’s academic record, Salasya has gone further, calling SHA’s management “medical terrorism” against ordinary Kenyans.

Duale, however, insists his focus will remain on implementing reforms in the health sector and not on what he described as personal attacks.