Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has assured President William Ruto of maintaining close ties with members of the Muslim community in Kenya.

Speaking on Friday, January 16, 2026, during the president’s meeting with members of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Lang’ata, Nairobi, Duale praised Ruto for promoting the community’s welfare and religious interests.

The Dawoodi Bohra community is a Shia Muslim group of Indian (Gujarati) descent known for entrepreneurship and philanthropy. The group recently welcomed their spiritual leader, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, to Kenya.

He specifically cited Ruto’s pivotal role in supporting the construction of Islamic worshipping centers such as masjids and madrassas across the country.

Building madrassas

“You have been a very great friend of the Muslim community, not just now as the president but ever since you joined politics. You are the only person of a different faith we know of in this country who has participated in building masjids and madrassas more than any other leader of another faith,” Duale stated.

The Cabinet Secretary particularly addressed the past declaration of the president enforcing a crackdown on drugs and substances as a game changer in one of the threats faciog the community.

Crackdown on drugs

He described this commitment as part of dedicated efforts to ensure the community fully enjoys its freedom of worship and religious expression.

“We are elated to have a president who believes in faith and spiritual guidance. On behalf of the Muslim community, I want to thank you most sincerely. When you made the declaration on the crackdown on drugs in Kenya, the Muslim community and our men and women were very happy,” he added.

Supporting Ruto’s agenda

Duale vowed to continue strengthening the growing bond and promised unwavering support for the president’s and Kenya Kwanza’s vision in the healthcare and education sectors.

“As a community, we will walk with you and the government you lead as you work to deliver for Kenyans on healthcare and giving employment and education to our young people,” he added.

Other leaders present at the event included Prime Cabinet Secretary and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and area MP Felix Odiwuor,alias Jalang’o among others.