Health CS Aden Duale speaking at the event./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Health CS Aden Duale has fired back at leaders asking him to keep off Garissa politics, insisting that his two decades in leadership give him the right to offer his opinion on who should lead the region.
Duale, who spoke in his native Somali dialect, said he would not force anyone to adopt his political views but would continue expressing them.
The veteran politician spoke during a resource mobilisation drive in support of the Maryam Binti Imran Centre for Orphans and the Tajul Ulum Islamic Centre.
Politicians, including Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed and governorship aspirants Ibrahim Abass and Abdiqani Dubat, were present.
Duale was elected MP for Garissa Township for four terms. He said he had been deeply involved in the political affairs of Garissa and the wider North Eastern region for more than 20 years and therefore had no intention of becoming a silent observer.
“I will not force anyone to follow my opinion, but I will give my views,” Duale said.
His remarks came in response to Garissa gubernatorial aspirant Dubat, who had urged him to concentrate on national politics.
Dubat had called on Duale to allow those seeking elective positions in Garissa to compete on their own merit rather than involving himself in local political contests.
But Duale rejected the call, saying politicians from across the county and the region routinely approach him seeking his views on political developments.
He maintained that he would continue giving his opinion on the gubernatorial race, parliamentary seats, the Senate and the woman representative position, regardless of whether his views were popular with everyone.
“I will give my opinion on the gubernatorial position, whether people accept it or not. I will give my opinion in Garissa Township, whether people accept it or not. I will give my opinion in Fafi, Balambala, Dadaab and Ijara, whether people accept it or not,” Duale said.
Duale also appeared to back the performance-based assessment of elected leaders, challenging voters to scrutinise the records of those seeking their support rather than being swayed by political rhetoric.
“I urge the people to gauge their leaders based on their track records, their performance and their Islamic values,” he said.
Duale defended his contribution to the community amid what he described as attacks and name-calling by political opponents.
He appeared particularly irked by those who have labelled him “Sultan Hasid”, a Somali expression loosely referring to a jealous person.
Duale dismissed the label, arguing that his record of supporting development projects and community initiatives was inconsistent with such a description.
He argued that a person driven by envy would not be investing time and resources in community projects, adding that those using the label against him may have been describing themselves rather than him.
“A Hasid is someone who wants everything for himself, who takes CDF money and consumes money meant for development projects.Can a Hasid contribute to fundraising? Can a Hasid build a madrasa?” he posed.
Duale also pointed to his political journey as evidence that he had always respected the electorate’s choices, noting that he had been elected through different political parties during his political career.
“You elected me through four different political parties, and I have always respected your decision,” he said.
He also invoked Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed, appearing to remind voters of his role in the MP's rise to political prominence.
“I brought Dekow, the Garissa Township MP, to you. Now, I want you to look at what he has done and gauge his record,” he said.
Duale's latest remarks come against the backdrop of growing political competition in Garissa, where a number of leaders have increasingly accused him of exerting excessive influence over local political affairs.
Among his vocal critics is Dadaab MP Farah Maalim and Garissa Senator Abdul Haji who is eyeing the governorship.
Two weeks ago, Haji took issue with what he described as attempts by unnamed political forces to influence local alliances and electoral choices.
He accused unnamed political actors of attempting to divide the Samawadhal community and split its vote.
Garissa county is inhabited by three main clans.
The governorship seat has so far attracted five candidates, among them Haji, Dubat, Abaas, former governor Ali Korane, and former Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye.
Health CS Aden Duale with local leaders./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Garissa County governorship aspirant Abdiqani Dubat speaking at the event. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Health CS Aden Duale shares a light moment with Garissa
township MP Dekow Mohamed. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
