Health Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni has responded to claims of her being incompetent and using too much English.
On March 5, PS Muthoni shared a statement signed by President William Ruto regarding the settlement of National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) debts.
The statement and her caption sparked reactions from Kenyans on X who are opposed to the new Social Health Authority (SHA).
“SHA is a game changer, it ensures hospital claims are processed efficiently as govt moves to pay hospitals’ NHIF claims,” reads Muthoni’s caption.
X user by the name iRise responded to the post saying “Mwalimu they say you are under performing.”
PS Muthoni responded to this stating she was aware and was following the claims.
“Mmm I am listening,” Muthoni said.
Another user rylon mugo said the PS was using too much English without technical knowledge of health.
In her response, Muthoni said “That’s ok. Any problem?”
This was followed by a response from Pharm Herbalist who emphasized that the PS was competent.
Muthoni fired back demanding the user to prove that she is incompetent.
Another X user by the name kibe also criticized the PS for defending SHA.
He mentioned that SHA is only a game changer to the government officials who are benefiting from it.
Gideon Kibe CPA: “Game changer kwenu na Zakayo juu mnakula hizo pesa.”
The PS quipped, asking the user to be specific on who was benefiting.
“Who is we?” Muthoni asked.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is under the leadership of four individuals.
Health CS Debra Mulongo Barasa is at the helm assisted by Harry K. Kimtai, PS, State Department for Medical Services, PS Muthoni in-charge of Public Health and Professional Standards and Director General Ministry of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth.
Mary Muthoni Roles at MoH
The docket led by PS Muthoni is responsible for critical functions related to public health and professional standards.
It develops policies on public health and sanitation, ensuring the well-being of communities.
The state department oversee preventive and promotive health services, as well as the policy on human resource development for healthcare workers, ensuring a skilled and competent workforce.
Its efforts extend to health education management, food quality, hygiene, and nutrition policies, quarantine administration, radiation policy, and immunization policy and management.
On the other hand, Kimtai is responsible for coordination of medical services as the Accounting and Authorized officer under the direction of the Cabinet Secretary for Health.
Also Read: Health CS Admits Ksh104 Billion SHA Irregular Payment
Qualifications & Career
Muthoni holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management and Marketing from the University of Eastern Africa Baraton.
The PS also holds a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
She started her career as a tutor at Moi High School Mbiruri between 2002 and 2008.
She would later join Moi Girls School Nairobi as a teacher of English and Literature where she taught up to June 2012.
Muthoni was the first female director at the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI), a role she held between 2016 and 2019.
Debra Barasa Qualifications
Barasa holds a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery (MBChB) from the University of Nairobi (UoN).
She holds a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine from the same and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Barasa is a medical doctor specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.
She has worked as an internal medicine physician at Mater Hospital and as a consultant physician at CHANF Community Health Services (CHANF-CNS) in Kitengela, Kajiado County.
Barasa was working as an Internal Medicine physician and Infectious Disease Expert at the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Hub in Nairobi before joining the cabinet.
Also Read: David Ndii Confirms Govt Does Not Own SHA System
Amoth & Kimtai Career
Amoth holds a bachelor’s in medicine and bachelor’s in surgery degree from the University of Nairobi as well as a Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the same institution.
He is also a holder of a Diploma in Health Systems Management from Galilee College in Israel.
Additionally, he currently chairs the World Health Organization’s Executive Board.
Kimtai holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Master of Arts in Economics and Master of Philosophy Economics, specialized in Regional Planning and Economic Development from Bhopal University, India.
He was first appointed to the position of Principal Secretary State Department for Livestock from 2018 serving upto 2023.
He served also as Director at the Capital Markets Authority between 2016 to 2017.
Supremacy battles at Afya House
In January 2025, there were reports of divisions in the ministry between CS Barasa and PS Kimtai.
The two gave conflicting directions on the appointment of Andrew Mulwa to the National AIDS & STI Control Programme (NASCOP).
Kimtai appointed Mulwa in December 2024, but Barasa revoked his deployment of Mulwa.
On the other hand, DG, Patrick Amoth, despite his medical background has also been dwarfed at Afya House. He is hardly heard.
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