CS Duale hits out at Gachagua over claim of political deal to control Nairobi in 2027

Duale warned that Kenyans are increasingly rejecting what he termed retrogressive politics

by STEPHEN ASTARIKO

North-eastern08 December 2025 - 10:00

In Summary

The CS said the Somali community, like all others, is a key stakeholder in Kenya’s economy, and warned politicians against exploiting ethnic identities for personal or political advantage.
Duale also highlighted Nairobi’s central role in the national economy, noting that the capital contributes about 60 per cent of Kenya’s economic output

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Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has sharply criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks seen as laying claim to Nairobi’s political leadership, warning against divisive narratives ahead of the 2027 elections.

Gachagua had suggested that his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) would take control of top county seats — Governor, Senator and Woman Representative — while securing candidates for 16 of Nairobi’s 17 parliamentary constituencies.

Last week, speaking at a church service, the former DP claimed his party had entered into a political pact with Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Patriotic Front to dominate Nairobi politics in 2027.

He framed the claims as part of DCP’s broader strategy to assert influence in the capital, pointing to the recent Kariobangi North by-election win as the first sign of the party’s Nairobi push.

The remarks were widely interpreted as an attempt by one party to assert “ownership” of Nairobi, raising concern among critics who said such claims undermine the city’s pluralistic and multi-ethnic character.

But addressing a wedding ceremony in Nairobi on Sunday, Duale, one of the most senior figures in the Kenya Kwanza administration, dismissed the assertions and rebuked Gachagua for what he described as divisive and tribal undertones.

The CS said the Somali community, like all others, is a key stakeholder in Kenya’s economy, and warned politicians against exploiting ethnic identities for personal or political advantage.

Duale also highlighted Nairobi’s central role in the national economy, noting that the capital contributes about 60 per cent of Kenya’s economic output — a reality he said makes it impossible for any single group to lay claim to the city.

“I want to speak as a Kenyan minister and as a Somali. And my message to the opposition is very clear, that Nairobi belongs to all of us. All Kenyan communities contribute to the economy of this country. As a community, we are very big contributors to the country’s economy,” Duale said.

He further pointed to deep-rooted social and economic ties between the Somali community and communities from the Mt Kenya region, especially within Nairobi’s commercial hub of Eastleigh.

“The people who buy from the malls in Eastleigh — the majority come from Mt Kenya. They come from Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri and Kiambu. Do not bring a rift between our people,” he said.

Duale warned that Kenyans are increasingly rejecting what he termed retrogressive politics, adding that leaders who thrive on ethnic divisions will face a backlash at the ballot box in 2027.

“If you are a tribal, kindly stay with your tribalism. We want to build one unified Kenya where the Somali, the Kikuyu, and all our other communities together — we are one united, indivisible Kenya,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has publicly denied any agreement ceding Nairobi to DCP, dismissing claims of a seat-sharing deal as “false narratives” meant to sow division within the opposition.