Health CS
Aden Duale has a word with Garissa Governor Nathif Jama.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale with other leaders in Balambala subcounty.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale interacts with residents of
Balamabala.Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has urged the government to expand its newly announced compensation programme to cover victims of historical state-led atrocities in Northeastern Kenya.
President William Ruto last week unveiled a framework to compensate victims of demonstrations and public protests dating back to 2017.
The plan will cover civilians and security officers who were killed or injured, with the Executive Office of the President coordinating the process in partnership with the Attorney General, the Ministry of Interior, the National Treasury and other state agencies.
The President appointed Prof. Makau Mutua, his Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights, to oversee the 120-day programme, which will identify victims, process claims, and disburse payments.
While the announcement has drawn both support and criticism, leaders from the Northeastern region say the framework should not leave out victims of past atrocities.
Speaking in Balambala town during the launch of the Balambala Municipality, Duale said justice demands that the process be all-inclusive.
“If there will be compensation for people who died, the people of Wagalla in Wajir, those who died in Garissa in the Garissa Gubay, and those from Malmakari in Mandera must be compensated as well,” Duale said.
He also pointed to more recent abuses, adding: “Those who were killed during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime and their bodies dumped in River Yala and River Tana must also be compensated.”
The CS further took aim at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of profiling communities with his recent remarks abroad.
While on a trip to the United States, Gachagua had claimed that President Ruto secretly met representatives of Somalia’s al-Shabaab to strike a business deal.
Duale dismissed the allegations, warning the former DP against targeting Somalis.
“I want to tell this man Gachagua that the days of entitlement in this country are over. That one community is more important than the other are long gone. All communities are the same. He needs to stop abusing the Somali community with his reckless utterances,” Duale said.
He defended the President against what he termed political attacks, saying Ruto’s agenda is about unity and equal development across the country.
“President William Ruto is becoming a victim of these political shenanigans because he wants to unite the country. He has brought development in all corners of this country more than all his predecessors ever did in the 60 years,” Duale said.
