Duale Cites Historical Marginalization, Backs President’s Unity Agenda.
By Musa Bashir
Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale on Thursday delivered an impassioned address during the Nyota Program event in Wajir, where he spoke about the historical challenges faced by Northern Kenya and expressed support for President William Ruto’s pledge to foster national unity and inclusivity.
Addressing residents and local leaders in Wajir, Duale said the region had endured decades of marginalization and discrimination, which he described as deeply rooted in Kenya’s post-independence history. The former Garissa Township lawmaker said that communities in Garissa, Wajir and Mandera had experienced exclusion in development and public services under previous administrations.
“Our discrimination is real, historical and factual and your regime administration had committed itself to resetting the history of Kenya”. Duale said.
The Health CS praised President Ruto’s leadership, saying the Head of State had affirmed that Kenya belongs to all citizens regardless of religion, ethnicity or region.
“There will be no Kenya without Northern Kenya,” Duale said,
Duale also referenced past controversies affecting the region, including the cancellation of examination results in 2015 and 2016 and the nullification of census figures for Garissa, Wajir and Mandera in 2019. He characterized those decisions as setbacks that hindered the region’s progress in education and resource allocation.
The 2015 and 2016 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination cancellations affected several schools nationwide following investigations into alleged irregularities. Similarly, the 2019 census results for certain sub-counties in Northern Kenya were nullified by the government at the time, citing data credibility concerns, decisions that sparked debate and criticism from regional leaders.
Duale maintained that the current President William Ruto’s administration is focused on correcting past injustices and accelerating development in the region through enhanced security, infrastructure investment and social programs.
He cited improved security in previously volatile areas such as Tatbaj as evidence of progress made under President Ruto’s leadership.
“Today, Tarbaj is very secure and Member of Parliament for Tarbaj has acknowledged the improvements”. Duale said.
The Nyota Program, which aims to expand access to essential services and promote socio-economic empowerment, brought together national and regional leaders as well as members of the public. Duale emphasized that equitable healthcare access remains a priority for the government, particularly in historically underserved regions.
He concluded by assuring residents that the government remains committed to inclusive development and pledged continued collaboration between national and local leaders to uplift Northern Kenya.
