Health CS Aden Duale Waives Medical Bills for Protest Victims in Nairobi

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during a meeting at Afya House, Nairobi.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that all medical bills for victims injured during the June 17 and June 25 protests in Nairobi will be fully waived. The decision comes as part of a government effort to ease the financial burden on families affected by the recent wave of demonstrations.

In an official statement issued on Monday, CS Duale said the Ministry of Health was committed to ensuring that all victims receive necessary medical care without the worry of hospital costs. “This is a humanitarian move meant to support families who have suffered physical and emotional pain as a result of the unrest,” said Duale.

The protests, which stemmed from growing public dissatisfaction with government policies, turned violent in several parts of the capital, leaving dozens injured. Many of the injured were rushed to public hospitals such as Kenyatta National Hospital and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, where they continue to receive treatment.

CS Duale confirmed that the waiver would apply to all patients treated at public facilities following the protests. “No family should have to choose between getting treatment and affording basic needs during such a time,” he added.

The Ministry of Health, through a statement signed by CS Aden Duale, announces a full waiver of medical bills for victims of the June 17 and 25 protests, including the KSh.815,805 bill of the late Boniface Kariuki.

The move has been widely welcomed by human rights organizations and civil society groups, who had earlier raised concerns about the medical and financial impact on protest victims. Many hailed the gesture as timely and compassionate.

Meanwhile, health officials have been directed to fast track the discharge process for stable patients and ensure continued care for those still undergoing treatment. The Ministry of Health is also working closely with hospital administrators to compile a list of all eligible patients to ensure no one is left out of the waiver.

As tension remains high in parts of the country, the government’s latest decision is being seen as a step toward reconciliation and healing amid calls for greater accountability and reform.