Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has rejected calls to stay out of Garissa politics, vowing to continue expressing his views on the county's leadership and future elections.
GARISSA, Kenya (Somali Report) — Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has rejected calls for him to stay out of local politics in Garissa, insisting that more than two decades in public life give him the right to express his views on the region’s political leadership.
Duale, a veteran politician and former four-term member of parliament for Garissa Township, said he would not impose his political preferences on voters but would continue to publicly share his opinions.
“I will not force anyone to follow my opinion, but I will give my views,” Duale said, speaking in his native Somali dialect during a fundraising drive in Garissa.
The event was held to support the Maryam Binti Imran Centre for Orphans and the Tajul Ulum Islamic Centre and was attended by several prominent local politicians, including Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed and gubernatorial aspirants Ibrahim Abass and Abdiqani Dubat.
Duale's remarks came after Dubat urged the cabinet secretary to focus on national affairs and allow politicians seeking elective positions in Garissa to compete without his involvement.
But Duale dismissed the call, arguing that his long political career and deep involvement in the affairs of Garissa and Kenya's North Eastern region meant he could not simply become a silent observer.
He said political leaders and residents from across the county regularly approached him for his views on major political developments.
“I will give my opinion on the gubernatorial position, whether people accept it or not,” Duale said. “I will give my opinion in Garissa Township, whether people accept it or not.”
He added that he would also continue commenting on political contests in Fafi, Balambala, Dadaab and Ijara, as well as races for parliamentary seats, the Senate and the woman representative position.
The outspoken minister also urged voters to judge politicians according to their records rather than campaign rhetoric.
Somali Report · Newsletter
Your morning briefing on Somalia's biggest stories — politics, security, business, and the people shaping the region's future.
“I urge the people to gauge their leaders based on their track records, their performance and their Islamic values,” he said.
Duale defended his own record amid criticism and insults from political opponents, particularly rejecting the Somali expression “Sultan Hasid”, a term he said was being used to portray him as a jealous person.
He argued that someone driven by envy would not contribute time and resources to development and charitable projects in the community.
“A Hasid is someone who wants everything for himself, who takes CDF money and consumes money meant for development projects,” Duale said, referring to constituency development funds.
“Can a Hasid contribute to fundraising? Can a Hasid build a madrasa?” he asked.
Duale also pointed to his lengthy political career, saying voters had elected him under four different political parties and that he had always respected their decisions.
“You elected me through four different political parties, and I have always respected your decision,” he said.
The health minister also referred to Dekow, suggesting that he had played a role in the Garissa Township MP's rise in politics.
“I brought Dekow, the Garissa Township MP, to you,” Duale said. “Now, I want you to look at what he has done and gauge his record.”
Duale's intervention highlights growing political manoeuvring in Garissa as politicians position themselves for future elections, with local leadership contests increasingly drawing the attention of influential figures from the wider North Eastern region.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
