Susan Nakhumicha, former Cabinet Secretary for Health in Kenya, has handed over her duties to her successor Deborah Mlongo Barasa at a ceremony held on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The handover took place at Afya House.
Nakhumicha’s Gratitude and Appreciation
In a statement released by the Ministry of Health, Nakhumicha expressed gratitude to the team for their support as she handed over her position to Dr. Deborah M. Barasa. This marks the end of an era in Kenya’s health sector, with Nakhumicha serving as one of the youngest cabinet secretaries under President William Ruto.
Nakhumicha’s Achievements and Experience
Before joining politics, Nakhumicha had a distinguished career in the health sector. She worked at various institutions, including the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), where she helped streamline operations and eliminate corruption. Her experience also includes working as head of supply chain at the Institute for Global Health Sciences of the University of California, San Francisco.
Nakhumicha’s Leadership Role
As Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakhumicha played a crucial role in steering Kenya through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recovery. Her tenure was marked by notable achievements, such as recruiting over 100,000 community health providers, operationalizing the Kenya BioVax Institute, and cleaning up KEMSA.
New Minister Takes Over
Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa has taken over from Nakhumicha as the new Cabinet Secretary for Health in Kenya. This change marks a significant shift in leadership within the Ministry of Health, with expectations high that Dr. Barasa will build on Nakhumicha’s achievements and drive further progress.
Nakhumicha’s Future Plans
After leaving office, Nakhumicha was appointed to the board of the World Economic Forum Global Alliance for Women’s Health, where she aims to champion women’s health globally and promote their well-being. Her leadership experience has also been recognized through her appointment as chairperson for the health ministers conference for the East, Central, and South African Region (ECSA).
