Rigathi Gachagua, Aden Duale Clash Over Uhuru Kenyatta’s Legacy
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale have publicly disagreed over the legacy of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking at a church service in Murang’a County, Gachagua criticised Duale for referring to Kenyatta’s presidency in current political debates. He said claims that Kenyatta undermined his then deputy, President William Ruto, misrepresent the relationship within the previous administration and risk distorting public understanding of recent events.
Gachagua was responding to remarks made by Duale during a visit to Mandera, where the Health Cabinet Secretary accused Kenyatta of sidelining Ruto while they were in office. Duale linked his comments to a broader defence of the current administration.
In contrast, Gachagua said that although Kenyatta and Ruto had political differences, there was no formal effort to remove the deputy president or limit his political activities. He said that Ruto remained active nationwide throughout his tenure, including regular engagements in the Mount Kenya region.
Gachagua also raised concerns about what he described as a shift in the treatment of senior government officials. Without providing specific examples, he suggested that the current political environment reflects growing hostility towards serving leaders and a decline in executive cooperation.
He further urged Duale to focus on his responsibilities in the health sector rather than engaging in political disputes. Gachagua questioned the sustainability of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund, warning of possible institutional and financial challenges if implementation issues are not addressed.
Duale has maintained his position, continuing to defend President Ruto and cautioning critics against undermining the presidency.
