Dr. Ouma Oluga, nominee for Principal Secretary in the State Department for Medical Services, has pledged to confront entrenched corruption at the Ministry of Health by initiating a comprehensive corruption risk assessment.
Appearing before the National Assembly Health Committee at Bunge Towers on Friday, April 4, Oluga outlined his strategic approach to dismantling what he termed as systemic enablers of graft within Afya House.
“It is time we conduct a corruption risk assessment at the Ministry of Health. We have talked about corruption for years—this assessment will help determine whether it’s a matter of perception or a deeply rooted reality,” Oluga said in response to a question from the vetting panel led by MP James Nyikal.
Oluga, who disclosed his net worth as Sh196 million, emphasized that the assessment would identify institutional weaknesses often exploited by cartels, paving the way for a structured corruption prevention plan.
“We need to pinpoint the vulnerabilities in our systems. The Auditor General has highlighted them in numerous reports tabled before Parliament. We must move beyond discussions to implementing real solutions,” he asserted.
The former Secretary-General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) said his solutions-oriented background would guide his efforts at the ministry. He underscored the need to close governance loopholes and to adopt a preventative approach to corruption.
“With this assessment, we must create a corruption prevention plan that addresses governance challenges. The Cabinet Secretary has also expressed support for this direction,” he noted.
Oluga also vowed to strengthen engagement between the national government, county health facilities, and medical staff. He said his experience in union leadership would help bridge existing gaps in implementing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and improving human resources for health.
“There is a lack of meaningful engagement at facility and county levels. Many of the issues we face are already addressed in existing HR instruments—they don’t all require funding, just proper coordination and accountability,” he said.
If approved, Oluga promises to bring a proactive, inclusive, and solutions-driven leadership to the health docket.
