Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and President William Ruto when the Head of State hosted Muslim religious leaders at State House, Nairobi /PCSHealth Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has accused leaders pushing for President William Ruto to serve only one term of being driven by tribalism, hatred and selfish interests rather than a genuine agenda for the country.
Duale spoke at State House, Nairobi, where President Ruto hosted Muslim religious leaders, and dismissed calls for the President to serve a single five-year term.
“Because of tribalism, selfishness and hatred, you hear some people say Ruto should serve for one term,” Duale said.
The Health CS argued that Kenya belongs to all its citizens and said the government’s record should be judged by its development programmes and efforts to ensure inclusivity.
“Kenya belongs to all of us,” he said, adding that Muslim religious leaders who had prayed for Ruto to serve two terms were expressing their genuine wishes for the country.
Duale also cited Kenya’s past presidents in making the case for Ruto to serve a second term.
He noted that founding President Jomo Kenyatta served for 15 years, his successor Daniel arap Moi served for 24 years, Mwai Kibaki was in office for 10 years and Uhuru Kenyatta also served for two terms totalling 10 years.
“We say, when the morning comes, you cannot hide with your palm,” Duale said.
He went on to defend the Ruto administration’s record, pointing to what he described as increased inclusivity in government, equitable sharing of development resources and infrastructure projects across the country.
Duale cited projects including the Isiolo-Mandera Highway, the Rironi-Mau Summit Road and the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway towards the Malaba border.
He said the government’s approach was aimed at making every Kenyan feel included in the administration regardless of their region.
The remarks come as political campaigns and realignments begin taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the President's allies stepping up efforts to defend his re-election bid.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has emerged as one of the leading voices calling for Ruto to serve only one term.
Gachagua has intensified his criticism of the administration and has positioned the 2027 election as an opportunity for Kenyans to deny Ruto a second term.
The former Deputy President has accused the government of poor governance, rising living costs and failing to fulfil some of its campaign promises.
Through the United Opposition, Gachagua has also been working to bring together opposition leaders and grassroots supporters in preparation for the 2027 contest.
His campaign has increasingly focused on rallying Kenyans around the need for political change and preventing Ruto from securing a second term.
Gachagua's opposition to Ruto is rooted in the political fallout that followed his removal as Deputy President in October 2024 after an impeachment process.
