Your problem is envy, Duale tells Uhuru

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has accused the former President Uhuru Kenyatta of envying the current administration's achievements.

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Speaking during the closing ceremony of the Ura Gate Cultural Festival in Tharaka Nithi County, Duale claimed Uhuru was unhappy because the Ruto administration was implementing programmes.

“And you know the problem retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has with President William Ruto is that the things he was unable to do during his ten years in office are the things his predecessor is now doing,” Duale said.

Duale cited healthcare, affordable housing, agriculture and education as areas in which he said the Kenya Kwanza administration had made progress.

On healthcare, the CS pointed to the Social Health Authority (SHA), claiming that 33 million Kenyans had registered under the programme.

“He was unable to fix matters concerning health. President Ruto has been able to fix SHA. Today, as we speak, 33 million Kenyans have been able to register under the SHA programme,” he said.

He also cited the affordable housing programme, saying it had expanded to include markets and hotels.

“In his ten years in power, he was unable to implement the affordable housing programme. But today, countrywide, houses are being built, as well as markets and hotels. More than KSh650 billion has gone into these projects,” Duale said.

The CS further cited subsidised fertiliser, saying its price had fallen from Sh7,000 to Sh2,000.

He also credited Ruto with reforms in the education sector, arguing that the current administration had addressed issues that had not been resolved under Uhuru.

Duale also defended the government's economic record, claiming Ruto inherited an economy that was “collapsing” but had since restored stability.

“Today, the whole world knows that our economy is once again stable under President Ruto's leadership and government,” he said.

“The only thing that is bothering my friend is envy. He has a lot of envy towards President Ruto and what he has achieved,” Duale said.

The remarks came days after Ruto renewed his public criticism of his predecessor during his development tour of Nyanza.

In Homa Bay on September 17, Ruto accused Uhuru of opposing his administration and urged him to respect the office of former president.

“You are a retired president. Respect your office. Go and relax; wacha sisi tupange hii nchi yetu ya Kenya,” Ruto said.

Ruto also accused Uhuru of involvement in efforts to undermine his administration while acknowledging that the retired President had a democratic right to oppose him.

The latest exchange revives the political rivalry between the two leaders, who were allies for years.

Ruto served as Uhuru's deputy from 2013 to 2022, with the two winning the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.

Their relationship later deteriorated, with Uhuru backing Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election while Ruto successfully sought the presidency.

Duale used his Tharaka Nithi address to issue a direct political challenge to Uhuru and his allies.

“I want to tell Uhuru Kenyatta: We defeated you in 2022 when you were in Azimio, and with the government and the military, we are going to defeat you in 2027,” he said.

He then looked beyond the 2027 election, predicting a continuation of Ruto's political influence and naming Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as his preferred successor in 2032.

“We shall again defeat you in 2032, and Professor Kithure Kindiki will be President of the Republic of Kenya,” Duale said.

The comments came after Uhuru appeared to respond indirectly to recent accusations that he was sponsoring opposition activities.

On September 18, Uhuru attended the burial of Christine Waruguru Kariuki, mother of former State House Deputy Comptroller George Kariuki, in Gikuu, Kiharu Constituency, Murang'a County.

The former President largely avoided politics during the funeral and read a prepared condolence message, saying he was wary of his words being misinterpreted.

At the end of his address, however, Uhuru referred sarcastically to the “sponsor” label that has featured in Ruto's recent political attacks.

“Asanteni sana, ni hayo machache kutoka kwa Sponyo. Tutaonana na tutaendelea kuwa pamoja,” he said, drawing laughter from mourners.

Uhuru did not directly respond to Ruto's allegations during the funeral.

He attended the ceremony alongside former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, whose political activities have also featured in the emerging political realignment ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The Ura Gate Festival brought together communities and visitors to celebrate traditional music, dance, storytelling, local arts, crafts and other aspects of Tharaka Nithi's cultural heritage