Lawyer Willis Otieno has thrown his weight behind the call for the resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over the Social Health Authority (SHA) fraud that has rocked the country.

Taking to his X account on Monday, September 1, 2025, Otieno argued that in civilised countries, state officials do not wait to be threatened with impeachment but resign immediately when their public reputations are tainted and their sector fails.

“In serious countries, a minister doesn’t wait to be threatened with impeachment; they resign the moment their sector collapses under their watch. It’s called accountability.” Willis Otieno Said.

Over the past week, the youthful Kenya Moja caucus of MPs issued a 48 to 72-hour ultimatum for Duale to resign, accusing him of presiding over a health sector in freefall. Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, speaking on behalf of the caucus, cited conflict-of-interest allegations tied to the SHA digital platform and warned that impeachment proceedings would follow if Duale failed to vacate office.

The legislators linked the CS to what they termed a multi-billion shilling fraud at SHA, pointing to alleged payouts to ghost facilities, fictitious claims, and irregular reimbursements that have left Kenyans struggling with delayed or denied health services.

The caucus also demanded the resignation of SHA Board Chair Dr. Mohamed Abdi and CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, accusing the top leadership of failing to provide proper oversight.

President William Ruto, in his first direct response to the crisis, promised that anyone found guilty of looting SHA funds would face prosecution, reaffirming his administration’s stance on corruption.

Aden Duale unbowed

Duale, however, has rejected the resignation calls, insisting that he will not bow to political pressure. The CS has maintained that he is ready to face any oversight body or parliamentary grilling, and accused some politicians of orchestrating the attacks as blackmail to protect their own interests in facilities under probe.

Speaking in Narok County on Saturday, August 30, 2025, Duale said he would not bow to pressure from critics, whom he accused of trying to undermine the government’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage.

“Just as the late John Michuki once said that passengers would no longer stand in matatus but must be seated, I am even more determined. I am not going anywhere until I streamline this health sector,” Duale declared.

“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?” he posed.