Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has hit back at former Public Service CS Justin Muturi, who recently accused him of frequently “hanging around State House,” implying excessive political coziness with President William Ruto.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Duale dismissed Muturi’s remarks as petty and “very pedestrian,” defending his presence at the seat of power. He maintained there was no wrongdoing in spending time at State House, especially if it meant updating the President after completing his official duties.
“That is him, and what is wrong if I hang around State House? It’s the seat of power. Is there a crime? If he didn’t have the privilege to hang around State House, he should not be very envious of me,” Duale retorted.
Muturi, in a candid interview on Nation FM, had claimed certain leaders were overly fond of State House, even joking that they spent too much time there “because there is plenty of tea.” He singled out Duale, citing his frequent presence as evidence of his closeness to President Ruto. The former CS also opened up about his fallout with the President, which he said stemmed from his objections to state-sanctioned abductions and extrajudicial killings issues he protested by skipping Cabinet meetings prior to his dismissal.
In response, Duale downplayed the allegations and instead challenged leaders to prioritize issues affecting ordinary Kenyans over personal grievances and political drama.
“If I had an opportunity to hang around State House after my work at Afya House, before I go home, I see the boss, I will go and sleep very well,” he stated.
Duale further emphasized that any leader would welcome the opportunity to interact with power, adding that being close to the President is neither a scandal nor a betrayal of public service.
The exchange underlines a growing rift between former allies in the Kenya Kwanza administration, revealing internal tensions as political temperatures continue to rise in the country.
