Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale faced intense backlash after allegedly ordering security to harass an NTV journalist during a press conference addressing the Social Health Authority (SHA) failures. The incident, captured in a viral video, occurred when Nation Media Group (NMG) reporter Leon Lidigu pressed Duale on SHA’s delayed payments to private hospitals, including a case involving a 10-month-old baby’s unpaid medical bills.
Duale’s heated response, suggesting NTV transform into a health facility, has fuelled accusations of journalist harassment and raised questions about his leadership amid the SHA controversy, with critics predicting his “televised downfall”.
The confrontation unfolded at a Ministry of Health briefing, where Lidigu cited a letter dated August 7, 2025, addressed to former Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi by Kenya Healthcare Federation Chair Dr Kanyenje Gakombe.
The letter highlighted SHA’s failure to remit KSh 500,000 for a child’s heart surgery in India, leaving the family stranded. Duale interrupted, dismissing the letter’s validity and stating, “We don’t have that letter. Let them go to the CEO’s office.”
When Lidigu persisted, Duale reportedly signalled an aide to seize the microphone, an act described as journalist harassment. The CS’s retort, “Turn Nation Media into a health facility; we’ll register you with an SHA portal,” drew gasps from attendees and sparked outrage online.
Duale’s response reflects a pattern of deflecting scrutiny over SHA’s challenges, including nine-month payment delays forcing civil servants to pay out of pocket.
The SHA, launched in October 2024 to replace the NHIF, has been plagued by fraud allegations, with Duale shutting down 35 hospitals for practices like ghost patient admissions and double billing.
Despite his anti-fraud crackdowns, critics argue his aggressive stance against journalists stifles accountability. Voters highlight public frustration, with some calling Duale’s actions a “televised downfall” in the making, as his combative approach alienates both media and citizens.
The incident has reignited debates about press freedom in Kenya. The Kenya Editors’ Guild condemned Duale’s conduct, urging respect for journalists’ role in exposing systemic issues.
Aden Duale's downfall will be televised. Today, he ordered his security to harass an NTV journalist for asking him tough questions about the failed SHA. Duale is biting off more than he can chew. pic.twitter.com/mhgQZ4EBbk
— Cornelius Kariuki Ronoh (@itskipronoh) August 8, 2025
NMG has not issued an official response, but sources indicate internal discussions about pursuing legal recourse. Duale’s history of clashing with media, including accusing NMG of “falsehoods” over SHA coverage, has intensified scrutiny of his tenure as Health CS, his third ministerial role since 2022.
Public views reflect distrust, with users questioning whether Duale’s “bulldozer” reputation, earned for tackling NHIF cartels, is now undermining his credibility.
The SHA controversy, compounded by Duale’s journalist harassment, depicts broader challenges in Kenya’s healthcare reform. Reports of patients denied coverage, such as a 70-year-old cancer patient told to wait until the next financial year, have fuelled public anger.
Duale’s dismissal of such cases as media sensationalism has only deepened doubts about Ruto’s government. The Ministry’s push for transparency via the Afyangu app and *147# fraud reporting line has yet to restore confidence, with ongoing system downtimes and unclear registration processes hampering SHA’s rollout.
As Kenya grapples with these issues, Duale’s outburst risks overshadowing his anti-fraud efforts. The suggestion that NTV become a health facility was perceived as a mockery of legitimate concerns, further eroding trust.
The Kenya Editors’ Guild has called for an apology, while X users speculate about Duale’s political future, with some predicting a “televised downfall” if he continues alienating the media.
The controversy highlights the need for constructive dialogue between government and press to address SHA’s challenges. The journalist harassment incident has placed Duale under intense scrutiny, with his leadership style drawing comparisons to a “bulldozer” now veering off course.
The SHA’s systemic issues, from delayed payments to fraud, demand solutions, not deflection. As public frustration mounts, Duale’s ability to navigate this crisis without further alienating stakeholders will be critical.
In conclusion, Aden Duale’s televised clash with an NTV journalist over SHA failures has flared a firestorm, with accusations of journalist harassment dominating headlines.
His call to turn NTV into a health facility has only deepened the controversy, fuelling predictions of a televised downfall. As Kenya awaits resolution to the SHA crisis, Duale’s handling of media scrutiny will shape his legacy and the future of universal healthcare.
