Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has publicly questioned former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa's capability during her time in office, claiming she struggled to comprehend cabinet papers and required his assistance during meetings.
Speaking in Mombasa over the weekend, Duale addressed Jumwa's allegations that President William Ruto betrayed her by dropping her from the cabinet. He said, "I used to sit next to her in cabinet. Reading cabinet papers was a problem. She struggled, and I would step in to help her."
Duale further asserted that even after explanations, Jumwa failed to fully grasp the documents' significance. He dismissed her claims of betrayal, attributing her removal to poor performance rather than political vendetta. Jumwa was among several cabinet secretaries relieved of their duties following the June 2024 Gen Z protests that prompted a cabinet reshuffle.
Jumwa Responds with Counterclaims
In a swift rebuttal, Aisha Jumwa accused Duale of hypocrisy, revealing that he had privately expressed harsh criticism of President Ruto after his own ministerial transfer from Defence to Environment.
Jumwa alleged, "When you were moved from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Environment, you called me and lamented. You said very unkind words about the president, calling him ungrateful and heartless." She added that she advised him to be grateful for his appointment despite the transfer.
This public exchange highlights deep divisions and personal tensions within the Kenya Kwanza administration, exposing rifts among former allies in President Ruto's inner circle.
