Trouble brewing at MoH? CS Mulongo, PS Kimtai at odds over Mulwa's NASCOP post

Barely five days after Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo revoked the deployment of former Chief Executive Officer at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Andrew Mulwa to the National AIDS & STI Control Programme (NASCOP), the former KEMSA senior official reportedly made a dramatic takeover of NASCOP's helm.

According to a letter addressed to the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, by the Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo Baraza, dated 8th January 2025,  the letter reads:

“Reference is made to your memo of 20th December 2024 with the  subject 'Deployment of Heads of Directorates/Divisions. Following extensive consultaions during the meeting held with you, the Director General, and Presidential Advisors on Health, as well as subsequent discussions with the respective technical officers.

“It was unanimously agreed to revoke the recent deployment of officers to and from NASCOP and the Division of Health Aging, Palliative Care and Older Persons.

“As a result, the recent deployments are to be rescinded immediately and the affected officers are to be restored to their original positions.”

PS Kimtai had on 20th December 2024, issued an internal memo to the Acting Deputy Director General formally authorising the deployment of Andrew Mulwa to NASCOP with immediate effect.

Similarly, Rose Wafula who until today morning served as the head of NASCOP was moved to head the Division of Health Aging, Palliative Care and Older Persons, with immediate effect.

Speaking to Citizen TV, PS Kimtai, said: “The transfers are a normal occurrence. The reporting by Dr. Mulwa at NASCOP is in order. Rose goes to head the Division of Health Aging, Palliative Care and Older Persons. Both officers are in the same rank of Senior Deputy Directors at the Ministry of Health.”

He added: “The transfer notice is in order. This has been done within the state department by the authorizing officer. ‘There is no formal appeal from the affected officers. We are still reviewing the Memo from the Health Cabinet Secretary. It’s not a war between the CS and me.”

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Baraza is yet to respond to Mulwa's takeover at NASCOP Monday morning.