Duale criticises state officials allegedly fueling tribalism, regional politics

Environment Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, on Sunday, took a swipe at senior state officials whom he accused of perpetuating sectarian and tribal interests.

Speaking in Garissa town, the CS challenged leaders who took oaths of office to refrain from ethnic fanatism and remain focused on serving Kenyans.

"Those of us privileged to serve in the government, elected or appointed, are obligated to leave by the oath of office that we took. We need to rise above ethnic and sectarian interests and serve Kenyans regardless of their religion and tribe," urged the CS, who commissioned a state-of-the-art facility at the Markaz Al-Rashidat Islamic Education Centre in Garissa town, Garissa County.

The Cabinet Secretary, while refraining from naming specific individuals, urged those involved in promoting ethnic and sectarian interests to either uphold their oath of office or step down to pursue their communal and tribal agendas.

"I, Aden Duale, come from Garissa, but being the cabinet secretary of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, I am privileged to serve the Republic of Kenya, serving the interests of Kenyans," he said.

Environment CS Aden Duale addresses attendees after commissioning a state-of-the-art facility at the Markaz Al-Rashidat Islamic Education Centre in Garissa County on Sunday, September 15, 2024. (Photo: Aden Duale/X)

Duale added that President William Ruto is among state officers under oath of office not to serve only those who elected him during the election but all Kenyans.

His remarks come a few days after elders and a group of Mount Kenya leaders endorsed his Interior counterpart, Kindiki Kithure, as the region's kingpin, a position eyed by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has been aggressively seeking to replace retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Nonetheless, DP Gachagua also recently criticised CS Aden Duale, whom he accused of opposing his efforts to galvanise and unite the Mt. Kenya region.

In a video that went viral on social media, the Deputy President, while speaking at a public rally in the central region, wondered why Duale allegedly opposed his efforts to unite Mt Kenya while the CS himself advocated for the unity of members of his community.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki at a past event. (Handout)