Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi traded fiery words in a dramatic confrontation that briefly brought a National Assembly Health Committee session to a standstill.
The tense exchange unfolded on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, after Duale accused the legislator of being linked to two health facilities that were recently shut down over fraud allegations.
The CS claimed the hospitals were part of an ongoing probe into irregular medical claims under the Social Health Authority.
“I have closed your hospitals,” Duale shouted.
Kibagendi swiftly hit back, dismissing the accusations as false and politically driven. He accused Duale of hiding behind his close ties with President William Ruto while allowing his allies to loot funds meant for the Social Health Authority.
The MP said Duale had no moral authority to lecture lawmakers when the ministry itself was under the spotlight for corruption.
“I have no hospitals, and I have never owned even a dispensary. That is the strategy you use to hide. You need to answer questions. We are not your children; you cannot come and lecture us. Who are you? Just because you are the President’s friend, you and your friends are stealing from SHA,” Kibagendi blasted Duale.
The confrontation quickly escalated as both leaders shouted over each other, forcing the committee to temporarily pause its session. Duale stood his ground, insisting the ministry would continue shutting down health facilities implicated in fraud and pursue legal action against those involved.
“We have closed your hospitals, and if possible, we will charge you in a court of law,” Duale declared.
“Where, I do not own a hospital, you and your friends are stealing from SHA. Kenyans need to know, answer the questions,” Kibagendi fired back.
He went on to say that Kibagendi should not serve in the Health Committee, arguing that owning or being linked to private hospitals was a clear conflict of interest. Duale added that he would write to the Speaker of the National Assembly seeking the MP’s removal from the committee.
“We will write to the Speaker that you cannot own a health facility and still be in the health committee; you cannot be in this committee because of a conflict of interest,” Duale stated.
