Political temperatures continue to rise within Kenya’s shifting power landscape as senior leaders trade sharp words over loyalty, development and credibility.
Recent remarks by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Burale Duale have added fresh fuel to an already heated debate about leadership priorities, regional inclusion and the true motivations behind growing opposition realignments.
Speaking during a Nyota Program Development, he used the opportunity to mount a robust defence of President William Ruto’s administration, particularly on its record in Northern Kenya.
He pushed back against criticism from opposition figures, arguing that the government had made deliberate efforts to invest in marginalised regions despite persistent challenges inherited over decades.
It was in this context that the Cabinet Secretary turned his attention to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whose recent political activities and outreach to various communities have drawn national attention.
According to the CS, Gachagua had previously approached several leaders and members of the Somali community seeking financial support, only to later dismiss the contributions as insignificant.
The CS alleged that Gachagua openly referred to the funds he received as small, a characterisation he said revealed a troubling attitude toward grassroots support and community goodwill.
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He argued that such conduct undermined the very communities Gachagua now claims to champion, particularly those in Northern Kenya who have long struggled for meaningful inclusion in national politics.
Further, the Cabinet Secretary accused Gachagua of failing to prioritise Northern Kenya during his time in government, questioning the sincerity of his recent pronouncements about regional marginalisation.
He maintained that leaders cannot ignore communities when in power and then rediscover them when political fortunes change.
The CS defended President Ruto’s performance, citing infrastructure projects, security interventions, and development programmes rolled out in the northern region.
He insisted that the Kenya Kwanza administration has demonstrated commitment through action rather than rhetoric, even in the face of harsh economic realities.
As the political contest sharpens, communities across the country are being urged to scrutinise not just promises, but past actions especially from leaders seeking a return to the national stage.
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