Gachagua Rejects Duale Debate Challenge, Says He Will Only Face Ruto
Gachagua dismissed the challenge because he only wanted to confront President William Ruto but not his administration staff.
A side-by-side image of Aden Duale and Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
By Ruth Sang
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale invited former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to a public debate but Gachagua refused the request.
The proposal was made on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, during a NYOTA youth empowerment event held at Garissa High School. While addressing the gathering, Duale suggested that he was ready to face Gachagua in a debate on Citizen TV’s JKLive program.
Duale declared his intention to face Gachagua while the crowd cheered for him. “President Ruto, leave him (Gachagua) to me. I will deal with him.”
Gachagua dismissed the challenge because he only wanted to confront President William Ruto but not his administration staff.
“I don’t debate nor engage with employees of William Ruto. The Presidential Debate next year between Mr. William Ruto and I is the only debate I will have with Ruto team members. His employees should help him prepare talking notes early enough,” Gachagua said in a response issued on Thursday.
President Ruto did not support Duale’s challenge at the Garissa event because he wanted his cabinet secretary to stop engaging in unnecessary disputes.
“I want to tell my friend Aden Duale, those who know English normally say, ‘Don’t argue with a fool; people will not know the difference.’ Let us not waste our time. We have an agenda for this nation,” President Ruto said.
The tension between Duale and Gachagua follows remarks the former Deputy President made in Nyeri, where he accused leaders from the Northern region of mismanaging devolved funds.
Gachagua later accused the Kenya Kwanza government of neglecting the North Eastern region, claiming it had been left to grapple with drought and famine.
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