Gachagua turns fire on Duale, defends Uhuru, and attacks SHA in fresh political broadside
By Kenneth Mwenda, April 19, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sharply escalated his political attacks on Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, accusing him of misleading Kenyans about former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s record while defending President William Ruto’s leadership style and the troubled Social Health Authority (SHA) system.
Speaking during a church service at ACK Nyakagumo in Maragua Constituency, Murang’a County, on Sunday, April 19, 2026, Gachagua rejected claims by Duale that Uhuru Kenyatta mistreated Ruto when he served as Deputy President.
“I saw Aden Duale yesterday making a lot of noise, castigating retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and saying Uhuru humiliated William Ruto as Deputy President and made life difficult for him,” Gachagua said.
He dismissed the claims and defended Uhuru’s conduct in office.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta never paid Members of Parliament to impeach William Ruto. He never sent goons and police to beat or tear gas him. He allowed him to serve his term,” he said.
Gachagua insisted that Ruto enjoyed full political freedom under Uhuru’s administration.
“He was everywhere in the country. In his mountain, he was here every week. Uhuru Kenyatta never stopped him from moving around,” he added.
Sharp contrast with Ruto’s presidency
The former deputy president then drew a direct contrast with the current administration, accusing Ruto of political persecution and intimidation.
“William Ruto has done the exact opposite. He has not only humiliated and persecuted his deputy, but paid MPs to remove him from office,” he said.
He went further, making strong claims of harassment.
“He has followed him at home and organised goons and police to beat him up. He has even gone after his children, making sure they are evicted from business premises,” Gachagua claimed.
He also accused the government of targeting families of political opponents.
“He has even sent his cronies to abuse his wife,” he said.
Gachagua told Duale to avoid dragging Uhuru Kenyatta into political disputes.
“So, Aden Duale, don’t go in that direction. Leave Uhuru Kenyatta alone,” he said.
Focus shifts to SHA and corruption claims
Gachagua redirected his criticism to the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has become one of the most contested government reforms.
He told Duale to concentrate on what he called failures in the health system instead of political debates.
“I would like Aden Duale to concentrate on this monster called SHA that is not working,” he said.
He made explosive claims about the financial state of the system, warning it could collapse soon.
“Tell us about a company… receiving Ksh600 million every month in Dubai while SHA payments are not being made,” he said.
Gachagua claimed SHA is already overwhelmed by debt.
“Today as we speak, SHA has liabilities of up to Ksh98 billion. SHA will collapse in the next five months,” he warned.
He described the system as barely functional.
“It was in ICU last year. Today it is a walking zombie that can collapse any minute,” he said.
He added that a collapse would have severe financial consequences for the country.
“When SHA collapses, it will be the biggest corporate loss in the history of independent Kenya,” he said.
Teachers and police caught in the dispute
Gachagua also criticised the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA, saying it has negatively affected teachers and police officers.
He claimed that new limits on medical cover have left public servants exposed to high costs.
“They were forced to move from Minet to SHA. Now they have capped consultations at Ksh1,200 while fees are between Ksh3,000 and Ksh5,000,” he said.
He urged teachers’ unions to push for a return to previous arrangements.
“I want to ask teachers of Kenya to demand from their leaders in KUPPET and KNUT that you must leave SHA,” he said.
Gachagua argued that earlier systems were more comprehensive.
“In the previous scheme, teachers had last expenses for burial. In SHA there is nothing,” he said.
He raised similar concerns about police officers, saying their medical coverage has weakened.
“Police were covered by APA, a good insurance company. Today they are in trouble under SHA,” he said.
Call to hospitals and final warning
Gachagua warned hospitals, especially faith-based institutions, to demand payments before the system worsens.
“I have asked hospitals to collect their money from SHA before it collapses,” he said.
He maintained that Kenya’s earlier systems worked better.
“Uhuru Kenyatta left a stable country. NHIF was working, education was working, everything was working,” he said.
He concluded with a strong political message, accusing the current administration of damaging key systems.
“In four years, William Ruto has destroyed the country. Leave Uhuru Kenyatta alone and fix SHA,” Gachagua said.
The remarks add to growing political tension over SHA, with government officials insisting the system is undergoing reforms while critics warn of deeper structural and financial problems.