Duale claims Kenyans are voting against UDA to punish Ruto in a candid admission that has electrified the political landscape, as Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale told a Garissa audience on Sunday that voters are deliberately backing any candidate opposing the ruling party just to send a message to President William Ruto.
Speaking at a Kenya Kwanza rally, the normally combative CS painted a picture of a vengeful electorate using by-elections as referendum sticks to beat the administration over economic hardships and perceived broken promises.
“Kenyans are voting for anything against UDA; they want to punish Ruto,” Duale said bluntly, drawing a mix of cheers from loyalists and uneasy laughter from the crowd of camel herders and traders.
“They are not voting for development or the better candidate. They are angry at the cost of living, at taxes, at everything. So they see a UDA logo and vote the opposite, even if it’s a goat wearing a cap.”
The remark, captured in a 38-second clip now trending, instantly became fodder for both government critics celebrating the confession and UDA diehards accusing Duale of defeatism.
“It’s national anger wearing a local mask.” Opposition leaders pounced like hyenas on a wounded buffalo.
A senior State House official, speaking anonymously, admitted Duale’s words “hit too close to home”. Internal polls reportedly show Ruto’s approval in former strongholds like Central and Rift Valley dipping below 40%, with voters citing the high cost of fuel, unga, and school fees despite the president’s promises of bottom-up transformation.
“People feel betrayed,” said Garissa trader Halima Hassan, 39, who attended the rally. “We voted for change, but the change is only in prices going up.”
Duale, never one to retreat, doubled down Monday on Citizen TV: “I said the truth. Voters are angry, and anger doesn’t read manifestos. Our job is to fix the economy fast so anger becomes appreciation by 2027.”
He pointed to falling inflation (now 4.8%) and the Sh1 trillion debt restructuring as proof the government is working but acknowledged the message isn’t landing in the villages.
As dusk fell over Garissa’s dusty streets, boda-boda riders debated the CS’s words over tea. “He spoke like a man who sees the storm coming,” said 27-year-old Abdi Noor.
“But telling us we’re punishing Ruto instead of fixing the problems? That feels like blaming the patient for being sick.” With five or more by-elections before Christmas and 2027 looming like a gathering cloud, Duale claims ‘Kenyans voting against UDA to punish Ruto’ has become the unofficial slogan.
