Duale Loses His Cool After Being Cornered by NMG Journalist

Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale lost his temper when Nation Media Group (NMG) reporter Leon Lidigu pressed him with questions over the Social Health Authority’s payments to private hospitals.

The heated exchange happened during a press briefing when Lidigu confronted the CS with a letter he said was dated August 7 and addressed to former Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangi by Kenya Healthcare Federation Chair Dr. Kanyenje Gakombe.

The letter allegedly raised concerns over delayed claims payments.

“My name is Leon Lidigu from the Daily Nation. I’m in possession of a letter, dated August 7, that was specifically sent to Dr. Mercy Mwangi. It’s from Dr. Kanyenje Gakombe, the Chairman of the Kenya Healthcare Federation,” said Lidigu.

A visibly irritated Duale interrupted him, dismissing the approach.

“Let me stop you there. We are not in possession of that letter. The person who wrote it has not told us he has given it to you,” Duale said.

“If he has written such a letter, let him officially take it to the CEO’s office, and we will handle it. We don’t conduct our internal communication through personal business or the media,” Duale added, before attempting to move to the next question.

Lidigu persisted, asking the CS to address the alleged nine-month delay in payments.

However, Duale maintained that any affected facilities should address the matter directly with SHA or the Directorate of Health Administration (DHA).

Also Read: List of 40 Hospitals Suspended by Duale [FULL LIST]

 He also pointed out that the facilities should not address the ministry through the media, singling out the Nation Media Group.

“If that facility has not been paid, they should go and engage SHA and DHA directly. They will get the right answer,” Duale said.

“If they are involved in fraudulent activities or are under investigation, they will be informed. It is not for them to address us through the Nation Media.”

He further accused the media of sensationalizing health issues by involving patients in their reports.

The CS challenged Nation Media Group to become more directly engaged with healthcare processes.

“We have seen patients, and your media house, Nation Media, is bringing patients into your videos. Please, turn Nation Media into a health center, and we will register you. We will give you a SHA portal, and we will deal with your claims as Nation Media,” he added.

Also Read: EXPLAINED: Circumstances When SHA Cannot Cover Your Treatment Abroad

This comes after the SHA CEO, Mercy Mwangangi, officially gazetted 40 hospitals suspended from the programme for engaging in fraudulent practices.

Her decision followed a directive on Friday, August 8, 2025, by CS Duale, who stated that the Ministry would publish the names of the suspended hospitals in a Gazette Notice following investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Among the facilities suspended by the Ministry of Health are Rachuonyo County Hospital in Homa Bay County, Salama Yard Medical Center in Nairobi County, Kotiende Homa Bay Center in Homa Bay, and Vebeneza Medical Centre Tassia in Nairobi.

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