KENYA — Health Cabinet Secretary Susan N. Wafula has taken over the reins of power at the Ministry of Health, pledging to continue building on her predecessor’s successes while improving on some areas to deliver quality health services to Kenyans.
In her maiden address during the handover ceremony at Afya house, CS Wafula thanked her predecessor Mutahi Kagwe for the seamless handover acknowledging the efforts by ministry officials to ensure a smooth handover.
“I know change of regime is normally not so easy, but I look forward to carrying on with the good things that you have done, putting more blocks on the foundation that you have laid and carrying on in the best way possible,” stated CS Wafula.
The CS thanked President William Ruto for deeming it fit to appoint her to serve in the health ministry. “I believe we are planted in places in different seasons and I want to call upon my colleagues and everybody else within the ministry, to make a difference.
CS Wafula, a procurement professional will handle a sensitive docket that calls for collaboration between the two levels of government.
Prior to her appointment to President Ruto’s government, she served as Head of Supply for the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Global Program for Research and Training.
CS Wafula will have to work round-the-clock to address health challenges that continue to bedevil the sector and cripple service delivery in the country, including inadequate specialists, perennial industrial actions, and runaway graft that has been like a burden around the neck of the health ministry.
In his farewell remarks, after a two-and-a-half-year stint at the helm of the health docket, Mutahi Kagwe expressed his support to the new Cabinet Secretary saying he was ready to assist when required.
At the same time, he thanked top Ministry Officials for their support and dedication during his tenure. “I came at a time when things were fairly difficult and I want to say without support from this team, the achievements that we have made would not have been made,” stated Kagwe.
The immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Health, Mutahi Kagwe had a bumpy ride during his tenure, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic when Kenya’s healthcare delivery system was stretched to the limits.
“I want to congratulate my colleague the CS and welcome her with an open heart to this Ministry. We have not left this country; we are just around the corner and I want to tell you madam CS that we are ready to assist in any way that we can. The most critical thing is continuity,” emphasized Kagwe.
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