Garissa,— Dadaab MP Farah Maalim has warned Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale against what he described as interference in political affairs in the North Eastern region, saying residents could mount a campaign calling on President William Ruto to remove him from Cabinet.
Maalim said local leaders and residents could push for Duale’s removal if he continued involving himself in political matters affecting other leaders and communities in the region.
He made the remarks during a political meeting organised by a section of the Aulihan community in support of Garissa gubernatorial candidate Abdul Haji.
Speaking in Somali, Maalim said some people close to Duale had given him the nickname “Sultan Hasid,” which he translated as “the jealous Sultan”, over what he claimed was the CS’s continued involvement in regional political affairs.
“It is not us who called you Sultan Hasid; it was not the people of Wajir or Mandera, but people close to you. We are not jealous like him, because if we start pushing for that action, it would not take even 14 days to remove you from that position,” Maalim said.
Maalim argued that President Ruto would not choose to side with one individual against a larger section of the electorate, particularly when the administration needs the support of voters in the region.
The Dadaab MP urged Duale to scale back what he described as his growing involvement in local political affairs.
“Please slow down; you are still young. We have held back many times to protect you, but if you continue, we will no longer protect you,” he said.
Maalim stressed that he had no objection to Duale serving in Cabinet but warned that he would oppose what he described as attempts to interfere in political affairs across the region.
“Calm down and enjoy the position you have been given. We have no problem with you, and we are happy that one of our own holds a Cabinet position, but we cannot accept this behaviour of interfering everywhere,” Maalim said.
The former Lagdera MP said Somali leaders and communities should remain united on issues affecting the region.
He also reaffirmed his support for Abdul Haji’s bid for the Garissa governor’s seat, warning those opposed to the campaign that they could face strong political resistance.
Maalim’s remarks add to growing political tensions surrounding Duale in North Eastern Kenya, where some leaders have criticised his involvement in regional political affairs.
The Health CS has also faced scrutiny at the national level after being summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over remarks allegedly targeting the Kikuyu community.
The latest remarks are likely to deepen the political contest in Garissa as rival factions position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
