NAIROBI, Kenya – Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has come to the defense of the Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, following reports that the senior health official is being sidelined within the Ministry of Health.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health, CS Duale reaffirmed Dr. Amoth’s mandate as the government’s chief technical adviser on health matters, emphasizing that his position is central to the ministry’s operations and protected by law.
“When I assumed office at the Ministry of Health 36 days ago, I reviewed Sections 16 and 17 of the Health Act and discovered that the office of the Director General was not being utilized optimally,” Duale noted.
He told the committee that he had convened a meeting with all ministry directors and principal secretaries, during which he made it clear that Dr. Amoth is the technical head of all directorates and divisions.
“It is not me creating this role it is the law. Some people have been made to believe that the DG has no meaningful role in the ministry. That is false. Everyone in that ministry, including myself, holds an appointment with defined roles. I expect each person to work within the bounds of that appointment,” he said.
Duale also clarified the division of responsibilities within the ministry, stating that while he will focus on policy direction, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, along with other senior officials, will handle operational and budgetary matters.
His remarks come amid rising concerns over internal tensions at Afya House and growing claims that Dr. Amoth who has served as Director General since 2018 and was instrumental in Kenya’s COVID-19 response has been gradually pushed to the periphery of ministry functions.
“This is not about personalities. It is about ensuring that every officer operates within the framework of the law to deliver health services effectively to Kenyans,” said Duale.
