GARISSA, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as an unserious political contender, describing him as “the biggest comedian” in a fresh attack that escalates the political contest ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Duale made the remarks on Friday while addressing journalists on the sidelines of a development and community engagement tour in Bura East, Fafi Constituency, Garissa County, where he was accompanied by several local leaders.
The Cabinet Secretary was responding to criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration by Gachagua, who now leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
Duale said he had no intention of engaging Gachagua in what he described as an unproductive political exchange, dismissing the former Deputy President’s frequent criticism of President William Ruto’s government as entertainment.
“Gachagua is not a serious contender. Now I can describe Gachagua as the biggest comedian that Kenyans should watch every night. In fact, I will ask television stations to present more Gachagua,” Duale said.
He added:
“What Gachagua says every day is just entertainment. So I don’t need to respond to Gachagua. Everything he says is entertainment. You can watch a movie; you can watch Gachagua. I don’t think what he says has any substance. I don’t even want to reply to him.”
Gachagua emerges as vocal Ruto critic
The remarks add to the increasingly heated political exchanges between the two camps as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gachagua has emerged as a vocal critic of President Ruto since leaving government, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to fulfil its campaign promises and abandoning sections of the electorate that supported the coalition in the 2022 election.
His criticism has also targeted the broad-based government arrangement that brought opposition figures into government following the political upheaval triggered by the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
Duale, however, defended the administration’s record and said voters should judge Ruto based on what the government had delivered rather than political rhetoric.
Duale backs Ruto’s 2027 bid
The Health CS said leaders from the Northeastern region had agreed to support Ruto’s re-election, arguing that the decision was based on the government’s development record.
“Our aim is to make sure that, inshallah, in the next election, our region’s president of choice is none other than the current President, His Excellency Dr William Ruto,” he said.
Duale said the President should be assessed on measurable achievements in sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, roads and the wider economy.
“We are not electing President William Ruto because he is called Dr William Ruto. Ruto has delivered. The data is there and the numbers are there,” Duale said.
He cited the government’s Universal Health Coverage programme, increased teacher recruitment, higher food production and improved markets for livestock and agricultural products as examples of progress under the administration.
CS highlights northern Kenya infrastructure
Duale also pointed to road infrastructure as evidence of what he described as the government’s commitment to more equitable development.
He cited the Isiolo–Mandera road and the Lamu–Garissa–Ijara–Fafi–Balambala–Lagdera and Isiolo corridors, alongside other national infrastructure projects.
“For the first time, you are seeing roads being built everywhere in Kenya. Many roads used to be built in only one corner of Kenya,” he said.
The political exchange comes as parties and political leaders intensify grassroots mobilisation across the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.
