President William Ruto on Friday, July 19, nominated Deborah Barasa Mulongo as the Cabinet Secretary for Health.
Deborah, if approved by the vetting panel in the National Assembly, will take over from former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha, who was dismissed on July 11, 2024.
Mulongo, a medical doctor with over 18 years of experience, specialises in internal medicine and infectious diseases.
She has over 15 years of field experience as a senior medical officer, progressing to become an internal medicine physician and technical advisor. She has worked in various health institutions, including national, referral, private, and community-based organizations.
The nominated CS is an internal medicine physician and infectious disease expert at the World Health Organisation (WHO).
She has established sustainable programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa at the WHO, supports member states in developing and implementing national action plans, and offers technical guidance on global policies and guidelines.
Deborah graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine from September 2012 to December 2015.
She also has a Master of Science in Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Nairobi (October 2001–December 2006).
Work Experience
Deborah has worked as an internal medicine consultant physician at CHANF and an infectious diseases consultant at the World Health Organisation.
In addition to her experience, the nominee for Health CS worked as an internal medicine physician at Mater Hospital.
From November 2008 to July 2023, she was a physician and senior technical advisor for HIV/TB/communicable and non-communicable diseases at the Eastern Deanery Aids Relief Programme.
Furthermore, from September 2012 to September 2017, she served as Senior House Officer/Senior Registrar at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
Her core competencies include internal medicine/infectious disease, communicable and non-communicable disease prevention and control for clinical cases, and public health programmes.
She also has a strong background in developing technical products (guidelines, assessment tools, training modules, SOPs, etc.), monitoring and evaluation, partner engagement, leadership, and coordination at regional, national, and facility levels, as well as community levels.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentist Union (KMPDU) has congratulated Deborah Mulongo Baraza on her appointment as Cabinet Secretary for Health.
“We warmly welcome her to the dutiful responsibility of ensuring quality health care systems for all Kenyans, as well as decent work for all health workers,” the Union said.
“We are willing to help the new CS nominee restore dignity in the profession and the quality of healthcare in the country.” Congratulations,” KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said.
