Laughable! I don’t debate Ruto’s employees on TV, Gachagua tells Duale after dare

Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua/FILE

Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed a challenge by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to engage in a televised debate.

Gachagua said he would only face President William Ruto in a presidential contest.

In a response shared on his social media X account, Gachagua downplayed Duale’s invitation, framing it as beneath his political standing.

“I have heard an employee of William Ruto was inviting me to some debate,” Gachagua said.

“Laughable!”

“I don’t debate or engage employees of William Ruto. I am only available for one debate with the Ruto team, the Presidential Debate next year between Mr William Ruto and me.”

“His employees should help him prepare talking notes early enough.”

Gachagua’s remarks came hours after Duale challenged the former Deputy President to a public exchange on development in the North Eastern region.

Duale issued the challenge while speaking at a youth empowerment event held at Garissa High School. The event was presided over by President William Ruto, who oversaw the disbursement of NYOTA funds.

Addressing the gathering, Duale criticised Gachagua’s recent comments about the region and called for a televised discussion.

“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.

The cabinet secretary proposed Citizen TV’s Jeff Koinange Live programme as a possible platform.

The exchange reflects growing tensions between the two leaders, who were previously allies in the United Democratic Alliance before Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024.

President Ruto, however, appeared to distance himself from the debate proposal and cautioned against escalating the confrontation.

“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 crowd.

“Let us not waste our time. We have an agenda for this nation and a programme.”

The disagreement follows Gachagua’s recent criticism of leaders from the North Eastern region, where he questioned the utilisation of devolution funds and the pace of development.

Gachagua accused some leaders of misusing public resources and pointed to shortages in essential services, including hospitals, clean water, classrooms, teachers, and medical personnel.

He also questioned the broader impact of devolution funding, arguing that despite significant allocations to counties since 2013, some regions continued to face development challenges.

In remarks made in January during a press conference in Nyeri, Gachagua urged leaders to prioritise long-term investments in public institutions.

Gachagua said leaders from the region “should not lecture us about affirmative action,” adding that more than a decade after devolution began, continued calls for preferential treatment required reflection.

“Devolution has been in place since 2013, and leaders from those regions have not developed institutions at the same pace, yet they want their children to benefit from facilities established by other counties,” he said.

“They have the opportunity to develop institutions of the highest standards possible in Kenya, not just for the children of those areas, but for the children of Kenya.”

The debate challenge and response have added a new layer to the political rivalry between Gachagua and members of the Kenya Kwanza administration, with both sides maintaining sharp differences over governance and development narratives.