NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 17 – Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has criticized Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale for what he termed as excessive political engagements at the expense of service delivery in the health sector.
In a statement posted on X, Senator Ole Kina accused Duale of focusing on re-election politics instead of addressing the challenges facing Kenyans in accessing quality and affordable healthcare.
“Cabinet Secretaries, politics ends when you take office. Duale & co, you talk elections more than policy—shame! Look at the UAE: a DESERT building a nation, while we politic 24/7. How do you expect Kenyans to survive the future? CUT IT OUT!” Ole Kina wrote.
The Senator’s remarks came a day after Duale publicly expressed confidence that President William Ruto would be re-elected in 2027 due to his political pact with Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
Duale compared the 2027 elections to the disputed 2007 polls, which triggered violence that left nearly 2,000 people dead and more than 600,000 others displaced.
The comments sparked immediate backlash from political leaders, with many terming them irresponsible and insensitive given Kenya’s painful history with election-related violence.
Former Trade Cabinet Secretary and one-time senior advisor to President Ruto, Moses Kuria, issued a strongly worded statement condemning Duale’s remarks.
“Yesterday in Balambala Aden Barre Duale declared in broad daylight that 2027 will be like 2007. The good, the bad and the ugly, I presume. Are we really listening to ourselves? I call upon all leaders to play back their speeches every evening and do some soul searching, not because of ourselves but because of our children,” Kuria wrote on X.
He further cautioned against leaders making ethnically charged statements, warning that such rhetoric could fuel division and instability.
“In the recent past I have listened to a number of leaders allege that there is a community that thinks it’s more superior than others. From Kamket to Mandago to Aden Duale in Balambala today. Some of us have unapologetically said NO to returning this country to the politics of negative ethnicity. Equally we will vehemently resist wholesale condemnation and collective punishment of an entire community,” Kuria stated.
He added: “If you have a problem with any individual from the Mt Kenya Community do not take it out against an entire people. If Mt Kenya people have eaten your goat Kamket, Mandago or Duale, do let me know. I will pay you back. Do not drive our backs against the wall. A point of no return may lead to very unintended consequences.”
Duale, who heads the Health docket, has faced increased criticism over the state of healthcare in Kenya.
Hospitals continue to grapple with drug shortages, delayed salaries for medical workers, and expensive treatment costs for ordinary Kenyans.
Ole Kina argued that instead of engaging in political campaigns, the Cabinet Secretary should be focusing on fixing systemic gaps in the sector.
The controversy comes at a time when several Cabinet members have been accused of open political mobilization ahead of the 2027 general election, despite their constitutional obligation to remain apolitical.
Duale is not the only government official to attract criticism.
Opiyo Wandayi and John Mbadi, who recently took up positions in President Ruto’s administration under the broad-based government arrangement, have also been accused of prioritizing political rhetoric over governance.
Analysts warn that the trend of Cabinet Secretaries engaging in early campaign politics risks undermining public trust in government institutions. Kenya’s constitution explicitly bars state officers from participating in active politics, emphasizing their role as public servants rather than partisan politicians.
