CS Duale: Thousands died under the last regime—victims could fill Uhuru Park

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has downplayed criticism of President William Ruto’s administration over rising cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings, shifting blame to the previous regime.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Sunday night, Duale defended the government’s record, arguing that enforced disappearances were far worse under former leadership.

“In the last administration, thousands and thousands of people died. Take a camera, walk in Garissa, Mombasa, Mandera—any city—and ask those who lost their loved ones during the last administration to come out. They would fill Uhuru Park,” he claimed.

Duale insisted that President Ruto does not condone abductions and that the government is committed to addressing the issue.

“It’s unacceptable, both as a government and under the Constitution. President Ruto and we don’t believe in abductions,” he said.

He further emphasised that security agencies found to be involved in enforced disappearances are not acting on behalf of the government.

“If there is anybody within the security agency that is part and parcel of abducting, that is not the position of the President.”

The CS also pointed out that the Ruto administration had made extrajudicial killings a key concern in its manifesto.

“We are the only administration that put the issue of extrajudicial killings in our manifesto; it is something the government has been working on,” he added.

His remarks come as Public Service CS Justin Muturi continues to criticise the government’s handling of the growing insecurity crisis.

Muturi, a former attorney general, has warned that the ongoing abductions and killings are severely damaging the country’s reputation and urged President Ruto to take decisive action.

Allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have since condemned Duale and other UDA lawmakers for calling for Muturi’s resignation.

They accused Duale of attacking a colleague who has been vocal about the government’s failure to curb kidnappings and disappearances.

Speaking at a separate event in Garissa County, Duale maintained that Cabinet members must respect their appointing authority, arguing that any CS dissatisfied with the government should resign rather than publicly oppose it.