Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has vowed to present files on corruption in the health sector to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) next week, signalling a hardline stance against graft even as pressure mounts for his resignation.

Taking to X, hours after speaking in Narok County on Saturday, August 30, 2025, during an Economic Empowerment Forum hosted by Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, Duale said he would not bow to what he termed as orchestrated campaigns aimed at undermining his reforms.

“In my address, I reaffirmed our unwavering stand against corruption in the health sector, noting that recent disruptions stem from cartels resisting long-overdue reforms,” Duale wrote. “I will be presenting files to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) this coming week to ensure those behind graft are held accountable, as we restore transparency and integrity in service delivery.”

Duale maintained that his duty was to fix the country’s healthcare system, not to step aside in the face of criticism. He dismissed reports linking him to mismanagement at the Social Health Authority (SHA), where ghost hospitals were allegedly receiving fraudulent payments.

“We will not gamble with the health of Kenyans. As the President has said, we will make healthcare accessible and equitable. Every Kenyan must have medical insurance,” he remarked.

Defiant stand against critics

The CS likened his mission to the transformative reforms championed by the late John Michuki in the transport sector two decades ago, declaring he would not relent until meaningful change is achieved.

“I am not going anywhere until I streamline this health sector,” he stated firmly.

Duale further accused unnamed individuals of sponsoring negative media coverage to discredit him, insisting that no amount of propaganda would deter him.

“If you are paying newspapers to run stories against me every day, I am not threatened. Do you want me to fight those stealing from Kenyans or not?” he posed.

On the contentious issue of government empowerment programs, which have sparked criticism over their funding, Duale defended the initiatives, describing them as a continuation of campaign pledges. He dismissed critics questioning the source of the funds, arguing that empowerment was part of the government’s development agenda.

“If you don’t have money, don’t ask us where we get it. Someone may have land, another a butchery, and I have my camels—I will give from there,” he said.

His remarks come days after retired Chief Justice David Maraga criticised the programs as tokenistic and unsustainable, urging Kenyans to interrogate the source of the funds.