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Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his attacks on President William Ruto’s Cabinet, focusing on Health CS Aden Duale. Gachagua accuses Duale of mismanagement and financial impropriety linked to a Sh104 billion contract. The political clash highlights growing tensions within the Kenya Kwanza administration as the 2027 elections approach.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has escalated his offensive against President William Ruto’s inner circle, turning his fire on close allies in the Cabinet. The latest to get in Gachagua’s firing line is Health CS Aden Duale, one of Ruto’s closest allies.
Gachagua accuses Duale of mismanagement of the Social Health Authority.
Addressing a rally in Ukambani last weekend, he accused Duale of being at the centre of alleged irregularities in SHA, including claims of financial impropriety linked to a controversial Sh104 billion contract.
The Democracy for Citizens Party leader alleged that Duale holds a 17 per cent stake in a company tied to the implementation of the system, accusing the firm of siphoning public funds through fraudulent schemes.
But Duale swiftly pushed back, dismissing the claims as baseless and ethnically driven. In a sharply worded rebuttal, the Health CS challenged Gachagua to produce documentary proof.
“I have publicly dared Gachagua, repeatedly, to produce a CR12 document from the Business Registration Service,” Duale said.
“This single sheet of paper would instantly reveal the shareholders and directors of Convergence Network Limited, the company he claims I own 17 per cent of.
“The CR12 would expose his lies and reveal that his entire campaign is built on something far uglier than corruption allegations — tribal hatred.”
Duale also rejected claims that any individuals linked to the firm were acting as his proxies, insisting the accusations were unfounded.
The clash marks the latest escalation in a widening political war that has seen Gachagua systematically target key figures in Ruto’s administration.
His attacks have increasingly broadened beyond his rivalry with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to encompass senior Cabinet officials seen as pillars of the President’s political machinery.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has been among the most prominent targets. In February, Gachagua accused Murkomen of orchestrating insecurity.
“[For the first time] since Independence, we have an embarrassing situation where the CS in charge of security and his PS are the primary cause of insecurity in the country,” Gachagua claimed.
He further alleged that such groups had been deployed to attack churches and disrupt political gatherings, claims the Interior ministry has strongly denied.
Murkomen has since hit back, accusing Gachagua of reckless incitement and warning of possible state action.
“There is someone who has been attacking my PS and myself every now and then… because he has no ideas, no agenda,” Murkomen said.
“We served with him in government, and not once did he propose anything in the Cabinet.”
Gachagua has also taken aim at Mining CS Hassan Joho and ICT counterpart William Kabogo. Both leaders have repeatedly denied the allegations.
He also dismissed speculation of Joho emerging as a potential running mate to Ruto, saying such a ticket would be politically weak.
Joho has previously accused Gachagua of fuelling ethnic divisions following his fallout with the president.
Kabogo, on his part, has consistently rejected similar claims, telling Parliament during his vetting that he had never been involved in drug trafficking.
He cited past police investigations that cleared his name, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated.
Other than the men in the Cabinet, Gachagua has also clashed with Lands CS Alice Wahome over his claims that she was being sidelined in government.
“If he wants to talk, let him talk about his own things. I have my own mouth and understand myself well. I would not even have talked about him, I just did so to set the record straight,” she said.
“He thought he was helping me or defending me, but I want to say the truth: I have never had a conversation with him since he left government. I’d not allow it. Even Catholics and Protestants don’t hold the same mass.”
The sustained attacks are part of the escalating fight between the opposition and the Kenya Kwanza administration ahead of the 2027 polls.
The political landscape in Kenya has been marked by intense rivalries, particularly following the 2022 elections. The Kenya Kwanza coalition, led by President William Ruto, has faced internal challenges as factions vie for power and influence. Gachagua’s recent actions reflect a broader struggle within the ruling party, as key figures navigate their positions ahead of the upcoming elections. This ongoing conflict underscores the complexities of Kenyan politics, where alliances can shift rapidly and accusations of corruption and ethnic division are common.
