'We must correct historical injustices,' Duale defends SHA appointments amid public uproar

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has defended the recent appointment of senior county officials at the Social Health Authority (SHA), insisting that the recruitment process was strictly based on merit and free from political interference.

Speaking at Garissa High School during the handover of a new bus on Saturday, Duale distanced himself from the recruitment process, saying he did not interfere in any way.

The appointments have sparked widespread public debate after reports emerged that nearly half of the positions were filled by individuals from just two communities.

A physical count shows that out of the 47 officials deployed to counties as SHA County Operations Managers, 22 are drawn from two communities, with the remaining positions shared among other groups.

The revelations triggered heated discussions online, with many Kenyans questioning whether the recruitment adhered to constitutional principles of equity, inclusiveness, and regional balance as outlined in Article 10 of the Constitution.

The CS acknowledged the concerns raised but argued that the country must also confront what he termed historical injustices in public service recruitment.

Duale noted that historical imbalances in public sector employment had been documented in several official reports.

Despite expressing confidence in the SHA leadership, Duale said he would seek a detailed briefing on how the recruitment was conducted.

“Every Kenyan will be given an opportunity by the Social Health Authority based on their competence and qualification. And in employing these Kenyans, Article 10 and the public service guidelines will be considered to make sure all regions, all communities, all religions and all genders are given equal opportunity," said the Health CS.

"We must correct historical injustices. And that is not me saying, it is in the Public Service Commission audit, it is in the National Cohesion and Integration Commission report…that over years, there was imbalance in the public service sector employment.”

Duale added: “I don’t interfere with how SHA recruits, or how Kenyatta National Hospital recruits. They have boards and management, but the concerns of Kenyans will be addressed. And as a minister, the buck stops with me. On Monday I will call both the board and management of SHA to take me through (the recruitment process)…and I have confidence in the entire leadership.”