A meeting between the National Assembly Health Committee and officials from the Ministry of Health turned chaotic on Tuesday after a tense verbal exchange between Kitutu Chache MP Antony Kibagendi and Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale.
The altercation began when several MPs accused CS Duale of intimidating committee members who sought to question the ministry’s handling of key health sector issues.
“You will not intimidate this committee. We are not your children for you to come and give us lectures,” said MP Kibagendi, sparking murmurs across the room.
In a sharp rebuttal, Duale accused Kibagendi of conflict of interest, alleging that the ministry had previously shut down hospitals linked to him.
“You are conflicted. You shouldn’t even be sitting in this committee. We have closed some of your hospitals and will close even more,” Duale retorted.
Kibagendi denied the claims, dismissing them as “political theatrics” and insisting he does not own any hospital in Kenya. He accused the CS of dodging accountability instead of addressing the committee’s questions.
The confrontation escalated further when Kibagendi turned his criticism toward Committee Chairperson James Nyikal, accusing him of failing to maintain order and siding with the CS.
“You are not running this committee. You are allowing Duale to direct you. You are living on borrowed values, Mr. Chairman,” he shouted.
Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge also questioned the chair’s neutrality, objecting to the decision to reprimand Kibagendi while allowing Duale to remain in the session.
“The shouting has been between the two. Why are you kicking out Kibagendi and leaving the CS seated here?” she asked.
The meeting eventually descended into disorder, prompting several members to walk out in protest. Proceedings later resumed with only three committee members remaining in attendance.
