Why Health CS Nominee Barasa renewed her license at last minute

Health CS nominee Dr Deborah Mlongo Barasa while appearing before the Committee on Appointments at the Mini Chambers, County Hall, Nairobi on  August 1, 2024. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

A move by Health Cabinet Secretary nominee Dr Deborah Barasa to renew her practicing license with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) shortly after nomination to Cabinet did not augur well with a section of Kenyans.

The CS nominee faced online criticism after paying Sh80,050 to the KMPDC, which reinstated her as a practicing doctor.

Many read malice.

But on Thursday, August 1, while appearing for vetting before Parliamentarians, the Health CS nominee explained her decision, clarifying that she had not renewed her license since joining the World Health Organization as a policy adviser in 2020.

"I am a qualified doctor, registered as A6275. I practiced clinically from 2007 to 2020 and consistently renewed my license during that time," Barasa explained.

"In 2020, I joined WHO, an independent entity affiliated with the UN, serving as an international civil servant and providing services to 22 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, as well as the 47 member states in the Afro Region."

Dr Barasa also revealed that she and her husband have a joint net worth of Sh455 million. Barasa disclosed this information during her appearance before the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments.

"My net worth is a combination of mine and my husband's, totaling Sh455,845,320," she stated.

Barasa also noted that she has never been involved in any integrity-related investigations.

She added, "Out of courtesy and respect for returning to the Kenyan medical environment and the office of the Cabinet Secretary, I renewed my clinical practice license."

If approved, Barasa pledged to uphold high standards of professionalism and integrity in her office.

She would be taking over from Susan Nakhumicha at the troubled ministry.