Health CS Aden Duale has escalated the political confrontation between President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.
He accused the retired President of envying what he described as the Kenya Kwanza administration’s achievements.
Duale claimed the central problem Uhuru had with Ruto was that the current administration was implementing programmes the former President had failed to deliver during his two terms in office.
He spoke in Tharaka Nithi county while presiding over the closing ceremony of the annual Ura Gate Cultural Festival in Mukothima.
Duale went ahead to enumerate some of the projects that are being undertaken by President Ruto’s administration that he noted the previous administration was unable to do.
“And you know the problem retired President Uhuru has with President Ruto is that the things he was unable to do during his 10 years in office are the things his predecessor is now doing,” he said.
The Health CS singled out healthcare, affordable housing, agriculture and education as areas where he said Ruto’s administration had made progress, contrasting them with what he portrayed as the record of the former administration.
On healthcare, Duale cited the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying 33 million Kenyans had registered under the programme.
He argued the Ruto administration had succeeded in addressing challenges he said had remained unresolved during Uhuru’s tenure.
Duale also pointed to the government’s affordable housing programme, saying the initiative had expanded beyond housing to include the construction of markets and hotels.
“In his 10 years in power, he was unable to implement the affordable housing programme. But today, countrywide, houses are being built, as well as markets and hotels. More than Sh650 billion has gone into these projects,” he said.
The CS further cited subsidised fertiliser as another example of what he described as the current administration’s interventions, saying the cost had fallen from Sh7,000 to Sh2,000.
He also credited Ruto with implementing reforms in the education sector.
Duale extended his criticism to the economy, claiming Ruto had inherited an economy that was “collapsing” but had since restored stability.
“The whole world knows our economy is once again stable under President Ruto’s leadership and government,” he said.
The CS also accusing the retired President of being motivated by envy over Ruto’s performance.
“The only thing that is bothering my friend is envy. He has a lot of envy towards President Ruto and what he has achieved,” Duale said.
During his four-day development tour of Nyanza, Ruto criticised his predecessor, accusing him of undermining his administration and engaging in political mobilisation against the government.
In Homa Bay on September 17, Ruto told Uhuru, who has been retired from the presidency since 2022, to respect the office of former President and allow the current administration to run the country.
“You are a retired president. Respect your office. Go and relax, wacha sisi tupange hii nchi yetu ya Kenya,” Ruto said.
Ruto also accused his predecessor of running schemes aimed at sabotaging the government, while acknowledging that Uhuru had a democratic right to oppose his administration.
The renewed confrontation has reopened memories of the dramatic breakdown of the relationship between Ruto and Uhuru after years of political partnership.
Ruto served as Uhuru’s deputy between 2013 and 2022, with the two winning the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections before their relationship deteriorated during Uhuru’s second term.
Uhuru subsequently backed Raila Odinga’s presidential bid in the 2022 election, while Ruto went on to win the presidency.
In his Tharaka Nithi address, Duale said the political forces associated with Ruto would remain dominant in subsequent elections.
“We shall again defeat you in 2032, and Kithure Kindiki will be President,” he said.
Duale’s remarks came a day after Uhuru appeared to respond indirectly to Ruto’s accusations that he was sponsoring opposition activities.
On September 18, Uhuru attended the burial of Christine Waruguru Kariuki, mother of former State House Deputy Comptroller George Kariuki, in Gikuu, Kiharu constituency, Murang’a county.
The former President largely avoided politics during the funeral and chose to read a prepared condolence message, saying he was wary of his words being misinterpreted.
But at the conclusion of his address, Uhuru made a sarcastic reference to the “sponsor” label that has featured in Ruto’s recent attacks.
“Asanteni sana, ni hayo machache kutoka kwa Sponyo. Tutaonana na tutaendelea kuwa pamoja,” he said, drawing laughter from mourners.
The remark was widely interpreted as a light-hearted response to the “sponsor” accusations, although Uhuru did not directly address Ruto’s allegations during the funeral.
The former President attended the ceremony alongside former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, whose recent political activities have also featured in the emerging opposition realignment ahead of 2027.
The Ura Gate Festival brought together communities and visitors to celebrate traditional music, dance, storytelling, local arts, crafts and other aspects of Tharaka Nithi’s cultural heritage.
