Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni, a key figure at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, is facing serious allegations of mismanagement and sabotage within the Ministry.
According to blogger Robert Alai, inside sources have raised concerns that her actions are not only hindering progress but may also be damaging the relationship between the Ministry and its partners, donors, and even staff members.
According to reports from within the Ministry, PS Muthoni has been repeatedly accused of overstepping her authority and making public statements on issues that fall under the purview of the Director-General of Health (DG).
Health PS Muthoni speaks during a past function. Photo: Nation Source: X
Instead of letting the appropriate office handle critical updates, Muthoni has reportedly rushed to the media, issuing statements that lack technical depth or relevance.
Critics argue that her public comments are more about personal publicity than addressing urgent health matters, leaving the Ministry’s leadership scrambling to clarify the situation.
One of the major concerns about PS Muthoni’s leadership is her alleged manipulation of social media to advance her personal agenda.
Sources claim that Muthoni has been hiring individuals on platforms like Twitter to create positive narratives about her leadership, causing confusion and concern among Ministry staff.
These actions, some believe, are contributing to a toxic work environment, where even junior staff are reportedly subjected to unwarranted pressure from her.
Further troubling allegations suggest that PS Muthoni has actively sabotaged the formation of the National Public Health Institute (NPHI), a body intended to address public health issues independently.
Insiders believe she is concerned that the NPHI would reduce her control over the Ministry’s budget, which she is accused of mismanaging for personal gain.
There are also serious accusations of corruption surrounding Muthoni.
According to reports, she has been demanding bribes from donors and partners working with the Ministry, with one instance involving a request for a bribe from a partner in the Neglected Tropical Diseases sector.
Muthoni allegedly pushed for reductions in funding for community health programs to fulfill her financial demands.
Moreover, her communication style has raised red flags within the Ministry.
Ministry of Health CS Deborah Mulongo. Photo: Citizen Digital Source: Facebook
PS Muthoni’s statements, which have often been criticized as lacking medical substance and heavy on general language, are said to confuse both the public and the Ministry’s staff.
Some even suspect that these statements are generated by AI tools like ChatGPT, which only adds to concerns about her technical competence and effectiveness in leading health-related matters.
As these accusations continue to mount, the question remains whether the government will take action to address the leadership crisis within the Ministry of Health and the concerns regarding PS Muthoni’s conduct.
