Duale defends Ruto’s leadership, slams chaotic opposition politics
By Aloys Michael, July 10, 2025Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has launched a strong defence of President William Ruto’s leadership, sharply contrasting the current political environment with past administrations and accusing a section of the political class of fueling unrest to protect entrenched interests.
Duale’s remarks come as political temperatures continue to rise ahead of key legislative debates and possible street protests. The government, however, insists it is open to dialogue but only within the bounds of the law.
In a statement on his X official account on Thursday, July 10, 2025, the CS, who is the staunch ally of the ruling coalition’s chief, lamented the increasing lawlessness witnessed in recent months, saying the country had not experienced such levels of political disorder in decades.
“Unlike in the past, during Saba Saba, the 10 years of President Mwai Kibaki and the decade under President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya did not witness such levels of chaos and lawlessness,” Duale said.
The CS’s comments also come amid ongoing protests and heightened political tension driven by opposition leaders and civil society groups, many of whom are criticising President Ruto’s economic policies and governance style.
However, he dismissed these concerns as part of a broader scheme to derail the administration’s inclusive agenda.
“What is different today?” Duale posed. “H.E. President William Ruto has boldly declared that the national cake will be shared fairly and equitably, without discrimination. Whether one voted for him or not.”
Duale framed the unrest not as a response to economic hardship, but as a backlash from political elites unsettled by Ruto’s commitment to inclusivity.
According to him, the president’s policies are disrupting the traditional power structures that thrived on regional and ethnic exclusion.
“This principled stance threatens those who have long thrived on exclusion, patronage and divisive politics. They are uncomfortable because inclusivity weakens their grip on communities they have used as political bargaining chips for decades,” he said.
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Scoffing at the opposition
In an implicit swipe at long-standing opposition figures, Duale suggested that some leaders have built entire careers on manipulating ethnic blocs and spreading fear among their constituencies to retain political relevance.
The CS’s defence of the president aligns with recent government messaging that portrays Ruto as a reformist leader fighting to upend the old order.
Ruto’s administration has been vocal about targeting corruption, restructuring public spending, and promoting what it calls a “bottom-up” economic model meant to empower ordinary citizens.
Still, the president’s critics argue that these promises have yet to yield results, especially as the cost of living continues to rise and unemployment remains high. Protests in various towns over the past weeks have highlighted growing frustrations, particularly among youth.
Despite the growing dissent, Duale made it clear that the government is determined to stay the course and warned against attempts to destabilise the country through what he termed “chaotic political theatrics.”
“As a nation, we must reject those who seek to take us backwards. Kenya belongs to all of us, not just a privileged few,” he said.