Senate Majority Leader and Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot delivered a sharp rebuke to Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, over reported inefficiencies within the Social Health Authority (SHA), amid increasing public concern over the country’s healthcare system.
While appearing before the Senate, Barasa faced tough questions from lawmakers, who expressed frustration with her ministry’s performance and her absence from a crucial mid-term review meeting.
Cheruiyot criticized Barasa and her two principal secretaries – Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni and Medical Services PS Harry Kimtai – for failing to attend the meeting in Naivasha.
“I am terribly disappointed by the conduct of this ministry, led by the Health Minister together with her two PSs. They have treated this House with serious contempt and that is not something that I take lightly as Majority leader in this House,” Cheruiyot stated.
“The fact that they missed our mid-term review meeting — the Cabinet Minister says she was in Cabinet, but where were Harry and PS Muthoni? Couldn’t they find their way to Naivasha?”
Cheruiyot emphasized that engagement between the Ministry of Health and the Senate is crucial for effective healthcare policy implementation.
He urged Barasa to prioritize direct communication with lawmakers over relying solely on internal ministry consultations.
“We passed those four laws knowing that SHA was going to be transformational and change the lives of Kenyans,” Cheruiyot said.
“Do not sit in your office and listen to your choir of office officials. Come and listen to the representatives of the people to understand the challenges they are facing,” he added.
During the session, Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi presided over the proceedings in the absence of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
Lawmakers are seeking assurances that the ministry will address public complaints regarding SHA’s service delivery, which has faced criticism over operational delays and limited access to care.
Cheruiyot called on Barasa to schedule an update within the next two days, stressing the importance of rebuilding relations between her ministry and the Senate.
“Therefore Mr Speaker I want to agree with your finding that when the minister returns to her office, can she find the time to come and provide an update on all the issues that she has been requested to come and present before our mid-term review meeting and ask for a time that we avail.
“This House is available on Tuesday mornings and Thursday mornings, can she pick a day in the next two days if she wants to restore normal relations between us and the Ministry of Health,” the Kericho senator stated.
He concluded by saying that; “Otherwise, I am terribly disappointed madam minister and PS Harry knows, PS Muthoni you know this. You are good friends but you have let your boss down. You need to work better with the House. We passed those four laws Mr Speaker knowing that SHA was going to be transformational and change the lives of Kenyans.”
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