Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has credited President William Ruto’s administration with strengthening national security, noting that Kenya has not experienced a major terrorist attack during Ruto’s time in office.
Speaking in Garissa during the President’s three-day tour of northern Kenya, Duale noted that the country has remained largely shielded from significant external terror threats.
“In your three and a half years in office, there has been no terror attack of the magnitude of the Garissa University attack, of Westgate, of Dusit. You have stabilized the country from any foreign terror attack,” Duale said.
However, Duale also criticized former senior government officials, including former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, accusing them of being linked to killings in other parts of the country and questioning their current political stance.
“But those who were our people, led by Matiang’i and his boss, were killed here at Tana River. They killed our people at River Yala. Today they say Somalis are their friends. We are not stupid. We read history, and we know those who marginalized [us],” Duale said.
He further referenced past terror incidents in the Northeastern region, saying individuals he holds responsible for failures under previous administrations are now “lecturing” the public.
Duale also claimed that the former government had closed a passport office during Fred Matiang’i’s tenure at the Interior Ministry, suggesting that the move restricted access to vital government services in the region. He noted that the current administration has taken steps to improve service delivery, though he did not specify whether the office has been reopened or expanded.
On infrastructure, Duale highlighted progress by the Kenya Kwanza government on road projects in northern Kenya, accusing the previous administration of deliberately obstructing key development initiatives. He alleged that while Ruto served as Deputy President under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the then-President instructed Cabinet ministers not to attend donor meetings that Ruto chaired, which were intended to support regional development.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta instructed all ministers… not to attend your meetings. He didn’t want the people of Northern Kenya to have this route,” Duale said, adding that sections of the road are now under construction.
