Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has taken a swipe at the opposition for criticizing President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing Programme, saying they are insensitive to the aspirations of low-income and middle-class Kenyans.
In Laikipia County on Sunday, October 12, Duale directly addressed Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who recently vowed to abolish the housing levy if he were to become president in 2027.
Duale maintained that the vow was unfair to hardworking Kenyans who have dreams of owning a good house, arguing that leaders already benefiting from government mortgages should not deny others the same advantage.
“All the leaders in this country are given a KSh30 million mortgage to buy a house. They all reside in Karen, but they oppose the president’s plan to build houses for ordinary citizens. That is the issue with some of our leaders,” said Duale.
He also made a swipe at Kalonzo, saying it was ironic that he opposed a project that will see ordinary citizens benefit while he himself lives in luxuries.
“I have heard Kalonzo promise to reverse the housing levy as his first executive order, yet he resides in an expensive house in Karen with over 20 dogs as security,” Duale said.
The CS reaffirmed that President Ruto will not back down on pursuing the housing and universal health coverage projects, both of which, he stated, were founded on the Constitution and to better the life of the ordinary Kenyan.
“Politicians are telling people to shun the housing and health initiatives, yet they are constitutional rights. Don’t listen to such leaders,” Duale pleaded.
He also appealed to politicians not to employ ethnic politics and insults towards the public, advising that what they are doing could be hurtful to future generations.
“Those of us who are leaders should desist from constructing our politics on insults or tribalism. Our children are observing us, and when they witness leaders trading abuses, it is a shame. Let us practice nation-building politics,” he added.
