Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Duale has urged future presidential aspirants to avoid employing the tribal card in their campaigns.

Speaking at a fundraiser for Gichuru Memorial Secondary School in Gikambura, Kikuyu Constituency, Duale stated that those who resort to tribal politics should consider moving to neighbouring countries.

Duale on tribal politics

Duale insisted that tribal politics in Kenya ended in 2013 when former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto united to form the government and bring several communities together.

“You cannot aspire and have the dream to lead Kenya when you employ the tribal card. I can tell you without fear of contradiction: you better go to our neighbouring countries. Kenya is not a place for ethnic or regional politics. That ended in 2013 when Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto brought the majority of communities together to form the government,” Duale stated.

The CS added that tribalism is irrelevant when leaders have individuals from different tribes working for them and helping them accomplish daily activities.

He noted that Kenya has many pressing issues to address and warned that neighbouring countries like Somalia and Ethiopia are struggling due to ethnic conflicts.

“We are not against anybody, but ethnic politics and mobilization have no importance. Those who work for us in our homes are from different tribes. As the security minister, I can say we have many problems to deal with, such as fighting Al Shabab and drug dealers. The problems our neighbors are facing are due to tribal issues,” he added.

Aden Duale and Kimani

Duale’s remarks came during a fundraiser aimed at raising funds for the school’s infrastructural upgrade, where he was accompanied by Majority Leader Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah.

His comments come at a time when Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been advocating for the adoption of the one-man-one-shilling formula to ensure equity and fairness in the allocation of funds to counties.

The Deputy President stated that the formula is critical for development in the Mt. Kenya region and must be pursued for the region to receive an equitable share of the allocation.

He also mentioned that the region deserved a portion of the Equalisation Fund for the benefit of areas in need of development.

In 2023, Gachagua declared that government appointments and contracts are reserved for those who voted for the Kenya Kwanza government.

He stated that the government would reward its staunch supporters and those who worked to put the current administration in office while giving the least consideration to members of the opposition.

For these and more credible stories, join our revamped Telegram and WhatsApp channels.

Telegram: https://t.me/peopledailydigital

WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va698juDOQIToHyu1p2z