Health CS Aden Duale defends his right to engage in politics, says law allows Cabinet Secretaries

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has defended his continued involvement in politics, saying the law allows Cabinet Secretaries to take part in political activities.

Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Duale said there is nothing illegal about his political engagements, asserting that the law only bars other public servants not CSs from politicking.

“Mr Speaker, I have read the law. Cabinet Secretaries, by law, we are politicians, and we will continue to politick,” Duale told the Senate. “I want you to check the Conflict of Interest Act, which amended the Leadership and Integrity Act. Anyone else in the public service cannot do politics, but Cabinet Secretaries, the law allows me.”

The Health CS emphasized that as part of a political government, he operates within the law and sees no conflict in his participation in political matters.

“I serve in a political government, and the law allows me. If you change the law and say CSs should not do politics, I will stop, but as of now, I will continue,” he stated.

Duale’s remarks have reignited public debate over the political neutrality of senior government officials, especially those tasked with implementing policy rather than driving political agendas.

Critics argue that political involvement by Cabinet Secretaries blurs the line between governance and partisanship, potentially undermining public trust in government institutions.

However, supporters of Duale’s stance say the law as currently written provides clear latitude for Cabinet Secretaries to engage in political discourse, as long as it does not interfere with their official duties.

The debate comes amid growing scrutiny of Cabinet members attending political rallies and making public endorsements a trend that continues to spark discussions on whether Kenya’s governance framework needs tighter separation between politics and public administration.