The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Former Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has responded sharply to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale after he questioned her ability to read and understand Cabinet documents during their time in government.
Jumwa accused Duale of hypocrisy, saying his remarks were politically motivated and intended to undermine her. She maintained that she was capable of understanding and handling Cabinet business.
Jumwa claimed that although the two served together in Cabinet, Duale rarely spoke to her except on one occasion when he confronted her over a meeting involving a former governor and President William Ruto.
She alleged that she had accompanied the former governor to meet Ruto in the evening and was confronted by Duale during the following Cabinet meeting.
According to Jumwa, Duale angrily questioned why she had taken the governor to see the President and allegedly insulted her before dismissing her attempt to explain the circumstances.
Her response followed remarks by Duale in Mombasa on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in which he criticised his former Cabinet colleague.
Duale claimed that he had sat next to Jumwa during Cabinet meetings and sometimes helped her read and interpret Cabinet papers. He further alleged that she occasionally struggled to explain matters contained in the documents, forcing him to step in.
Duale made the comments while criticising Jumwa’s political association with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
He questioned her decision to work with Kalonzo and urged residents of Mombasa to register as voters and participate in the 2027 General Election.
Jumwa, however, warned Duale against attempting to influence the political direction of the Coast region.
She said Coast leaders were capable of making their own political decisions and would not accept directives on which leaders or political formations to support.
“You will not direct the Coast region on where to vote. The Coast has its leaders. If you think Coast has no leader, I am there for them,” she said.
Meanwhile, EALA MP Falhada Iman Dekow criticised Duale’s remarks, accusing him of using political differences to belittle and ridicule a woman leader.
Dekow said political disagreements should not be turned into personal attacks or public humiliation.
She also defended the right of every leader to choose their political allegiance and support candidates or leaders of their choice.
