Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dismissed the opposition’s chances of mounting successful anti-government protests, arguing that the period of influential maandamano ended with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking at a Nairobi hotel on Saturday during a ceremony honouring Dr Osman Mohamed Osman’s attainment of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Duale said the opposition no longer holds the political leverage needed to mobilise mass demonstrations. He added that the “maandamano brand” belonged to Raila.
The event celebrated Dr Osman, the husband of Nominated MP Ummulkheir Harun, and brought together political leaders, senior government officials, professionals, and members of the academic community.
Duale also took a swipe at the opposition over Thursday’s demonstrations marking the anniversary of the deadly 2024 Gen Z anti-government protests. He argued that the demonstrations failed to draw meaningful public support.
“They could not even raise enough people to participate in the maandamano. They do not understand that the maandamano brand belonged to one man. The brand of maandamano belonged to the late Raila Odinga. May he rest in peace,” Duale said.
He further claimed that the demonstrators could not sustain the protests, saying they dispersed soon after they started.
“They had to return to their vehicles after barely a five-minute walk. They could not even reach the Nyayo House roundabout,” he said.
Duale maintained that the Kenya Kwanza administration’s broad-based government remains intact, describing it as the political path President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga agreed on.
He said the current government’s priority involves preserving national unity and political stability rather than pursuing divisive politics.
“We are in the broad-based government to stay. That is where the late Raila Odinga and President William Ruto left us. We are not into the politics of division, tribalism, hatred, or shoring people up along ethnic lines. We have absolutely no time for such politics. We want a peaceful and stable country,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, Duale expressed confidence that the ruling coalition would retain power comfortably despite mounting opposition criticism.
“Ask me; I have been around. We shall show them dust come 2027. They will be shocked,” he declared.
