This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has made a bold statement, vowing to dismantle a cartel that has been hindering the fight against corruption in the Ministry of Health.
Speaking to the Nation on Monday, Kagwe expressed his frustration with a group of individuals who have managed to infiltrate the justice system, retaining control of strategic positions and overseeing billions of shillings in the ministry.
He questioned why some employees who are transferred to other departments go to court to challenge their deployment, saying, 'You have gone to court because you do not want to be moved from your seat, what is so important in this seat? You are still in the ministry and not a sweeper somewhere. Why go to court?'
Kagwe also cited a case where a stranger walked into the ministry's board room, struck a deal, and signed a contract, saying, 'Where on earth except in the movies does something like this happen?'
He emphasized that the Ministry of Health deals with crucial matters, and hence, the need for urgent reforms, stating, 'The issue of health is so personal that we cannot take chances, this is an issue of dealing with old people, children, and mothers giving birth. If people are sick and cannot get medicine and there are delays because of corruption, I am not retreating.'
He also highlighted the need for a team of trusted people who are against corruption, saying, 'I am building a team of trusted people, who are against corruption.'
On his experience taking over the Ministry of Health during the pandemic, Kagwe said, 'This has been a very steep blind curve, day and night, and no time to relax.'
He emphasized the importance of discipline in tackling the pandemic, saying, 'Clearly, it is frustrating. However, the scary part is the realisation that this is not the only pandemic that we’re going to face, there could be others. You then realise the importance of discipline to tackle our challenges.'
On the creative ways Kenyans have used humor to cope with the pandemic, Kagwe said, 'I laugh like everybody else. I sing along. I go to hotels and order Mutahi Kagwe special (a drink and two sausages). If you can’t beat them join them.'
He expressed his determination to rid the ministry of cartels, saying, 'I am determined. I knew what I was getting myself into and slowly but surely, I will manage.'
On his plans to address the health concerns of Kenyans post the pandemic, Kagwe said, 'This is not a ministry of corona. However, it has just happened that the virus is the one that is most challenging right now. Other diseases are being taken care of. With coronavirus, we have also seen some gains particularly on prevention and these rotate around hygiene. People are not getting sick.'
He emphasized his values of trying to get things done and improving people’s lives, saying, 'I naturally want to try and get things done. This is my nature, more so when it concerns people. I am highly driven to improve people’s lives and make it better.'
