NAIROBI — Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, has come out strongly in defense of Dr Patrick Amoth, the Director General for Health, amid claims that the long-serving official has been marginalized within the ministry.
Speaking before Parliament’s Departmental Committee on Health on Wednesday, Mr. Duale dismissed speculation that Dr Amoth had been sidelined. Instead, he said, steps were being taken to reaffirm his authority in line with the Health Act.
“When I assumed office 36 days ago, I looked closely at Sections 16 and 17 of the Health Act,” the Cabinet Secretary told lawmakers. “I found that the DG’s role had not been applied as intended by the law.”
He added: “I want to confirm to this House, and for the record, that I met with all ministry directors and principal secretaries and told them clearly—Dr Amoth is the technical head. That is not a favour; it is the law.”
Legal Role, Not Political Preference
Duale was unequivocal: the position of Director General is not ceremonial, nor is its authority dependent on ministerial discretion. “This is not a role I created,” he said. “It is defined in law.”
His remarks come after weeks of quiet murmurs in health sector circles. Insiders had suggested that Dr Amoth, who became a familiar face during Kenya’s COVID-19 response, had gradually been edged out of meaningful decision-making.
The Cabinet Secretary addressed those concerns head-on. “Some people have been made to believe that the DG has no meaningful role in the ministry. That is false,” he said. “Every one of us, including me, holds an appointment with clearly defined roles. And I expect everyone to work within those boundaries.”
A Return to Structure
Dr Amoth has held the post since 2018 and was widely praised for his steady leadership during the pandemic. His absence from recent ministry briefings had raised questions among observers and civil society groups concerned with health governance.
Duale, however, said the ministry was returning to a structure that respects the chain of command and professional roles. “I handle policy matters,” he explained. “The PS for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, and other senior officials manage budget and operations. The DG leads on technical health issues. That’s the order we’re restoring.”
The clarification comes at a time when Kenya’s health sector faces rising scrutiny over coordination, funding gaps, and stalled reforms. The ministry is expected to release a new guide for parents and caregivers of adolescents later this month—a move likely to test the very coordination that Duale is trying to reinforce.
Still, observers say much will depend on whether the stated commitments lead to real shifts behind closed doors.
For now, Dr Amoth remains in post—and, according to the Cabinet Secretary, very much at the heart of the ministry’s work.
