Aden Duale Dismisses Gachagua as ‘Biggest Comedian’ Ahead of 2027 General Elections

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as a serious political threat ahead of the 2027 General Election, describing him as a source of political entertainment rather than a credible contender.

Speaking on Friday during a development and community engagement tour in Bura East, Fafi Constituency, Garissa County, Duale hit back at Gachagua over his continued criticism of President William Ruto’s administration.

Duale said he would not engage in what he termed an endless political exchange with the former Deputy President, arguing that Gachagua’s remarks lack substance.

He went as far as describing Gachagua as “the biggest comedian,” joking that Kenyans could watch him for entertainment just as they would watch a movie.

Gachagua, who currently leads the Democracy for Citizens Party, has increasingly positioned himself as one of the leading critics of President Ruto’s government. He has accused the administration of failing to honour some of its promises and of sidelining parts of the electorate that backed the Kenya Kwanza coalition in 2022.

His criticism has also extended to the broad-based government arrangement, which brought opposition politicians into government following the political tensions witnessed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.

But Duale maintained that the government’s record should be the main basis for judging President Ruto.

The Health CS said leaders from the Northeastern region had resolved to support Ruto’s bid for another term, citing what he described as the administration’s development achievements.

According to Duale, the region’s support for Ruto is based on projects and programmes in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, roads and the wider economy.

He pointed to the government’s Universal Health Coverage programme, recruitment of teachers, increased food production and efforts to improve markets for livestock and agricultural products as some of the areas where he believes the administration has made progress.

Duale also highlighted road construction across northern Kenya, citing projects connecting Isiolo, Mandera, Lamu, Garissa, Ijara, Fafi and Balambala, among other areas.

He argued that the current government had expanded infrastructure development beyond traditional areas that he claimed had previously received a larger share of national investment.

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the exchange between leaders aligned with President Ruto and Gachagua is expected to intensify as political parties and regional blocs begin positioning themselves for the next electoral contest.