Aden Duale is once again at the centre of a disturbing conversation, this time involving protest victims receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.
A post shared online by Sophie Mugure Njehia claimed that Duale, the Health Cabinet Secretary, ordered the forced discharge of injured protesters. Some of these victims had serious conditions like amputated limbs and metal implants.
Njehia said they were not yet ready to leave the hospital, as some still needed wound dressing and close follow-up care. According to her, the move was reckless and dangerous, risking complications or even death.
She called on the public to resist the move and protect the rights of the victims.While these claims circulated widely, earlier reports had painted a very different picture.
Duale had announced on June 30 that the government would cover all medical costs for the injured protesters. News outlets like Capital FM confirmed that KNH would settle the bills using the Disaster Emergency Fund.
This included the case of Boniface Kariuki, who died on June 30 with a bill exceeding KSh 800,000. The government said this would reduce the burden on the families and guarantee uninterrupted treatment.
However, the contradiction between Njehia’s account and Duale’s earlier statement puts the Health Cabinet Secretary in a bad light. If Duale truly gave orders to remove patients who had not fully recovered, it would show shocking negligence, especially after promising free care.
Health is not a favour the government hands out when it feels generous. It is a right, and discharging people still battling infections or recovering from surgery sends a message that the government values appearances more than lives.
Even though no official statement confirms the forced discharges, the silence from the Ministry of Health only adds fuel to the fire. This isn’t just about settling bills; it’s about whether the Ministry is providing proper medical support to victims of violence tied to state action.
The Ministry cannot announce waivers and then allegedly push patients out of hospitals quietly weeks later. If these victims are indeed being discharged early, then Duale is not only breaking the government’s word but also putting lives at risk.
It’s a disturbing situation that cannot be ignored. Aden Duale needs to come forward and explain what’s really going on.
Either he allowed KNH to carry out these discharges against medical advice, or he has lost control of what happens under his watch. Either way, it reflects very poorly on his leadership. The protest victims deserve honesty, full care, and the truth not confusion, cover-ups, and half-commitments.
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