President William Ruto on Wednesday shot down Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s proposal for a public debate with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, declaring that his administration will not be sidetracked by political showdowns.
Addressing an energetic crowd in Garissa, Ruto cautioned Duale against escalating the simmering political exchange and made it clear that his government will concentrate on delivering its development agenda.
“I want to tell my friend Aden Duale, those who know English normally say, ‘Don’t argue with a fool; people will not know the difference,” Ruto said, drawing applause and laughter from the audience.
“Let us not waste our time. We have an agenda for this nation and a programme.”
Duale Challenges Gachagua to Televised Debate
CS Duale had earlier challenged Gachagua to a televised debate on development in the North Eastern region.
Duale issued the challenge during a youth empowerment event at Garissa High School, where President Ruto presided over the disbursement of NYOTA funds aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs.
While addressing the gathering, Duale criticised Gachagua’s recent remarks on regional development and called for a public platform to settle the matter.
“I am challenging Gachagua to a debate on development in the North Eastern region. President Ruto, leave him to me. I will deal with him,” Duale said.
He proposed Citizen TV’s ‘Jeff Koinange Live’ as the ideal platform for the face-off.
Ruto Shifts Focus to Historical Injustices in North Eastern
Despite the political heat, President Ruto redirected attention to what he described as long-standing marginalisation in North Eastern Kenya. He told residents that his administration has already begun correcting historical injustices in the region.
“I have been here in Garissa and I told you that we are going to re-write the wrong history that was written about this region. We will correct the historical injustices, and we are already underway in correcting those injustices,” he said.
Ruto highlighted the bureaucratic barriers that have denied many young people access to national identification cards, locking them out of government programmes and economic opportunities.
“In fact, when we asked about applications for Nyota program, many youth did not even have IDs. How can they apply without identification?” he posed.
The President said the government is streamlining the issuance of national ID cards to ensure that youth in northern Kenya can benefit from empowerment initiatives such as the NYOTA programme and other state-backed opportunities.
Ruto Dismisses Al Shabaab Claims
The President also addressed allegations by Rigathi Gachagua that he held secret meetings with al Shabaab during a previous visit to the region. Ruto dismissed the claims and accused his critics of pushing divisive narratives.
“Sijui watafanya nini wale [United Opposition]. Wakati nilikuja hapa, walisema nimekuja kukutana na al Shabaab… So I want to tell you the people of northern Kenya we are moving together,” he said.
Ruto reassured residents that his administration views northern Kenya as an integral part of the country’s growth strategy and will not tolerate stereotypes that undermine its people.
Madaraka Day Celebrations Headed to North Eastern
In a symbolic move, Ruto announced that this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations will take place in the North Eastern region for the first time in Kenya’s history.
He said the decision reflects his government’s resolve to integrate every region into the national development framework.
“For the first time tuatleta mambo ya Madaraka hapa northern Kenya. Mwezi wa sita mwaka huu… In the month of June, we will celebrate the National Independence Day,” Ruto said.
The announcement drew cheers from the Garissa crowd, marking what could become a defining political and developmental moment for the region.
