Former Senior Advisor to President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors, Moses Kuria, has openly challenged Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over remarks that he says unfairly cast the entire Mt Kenya region in bad light.

Kuria, who stepped down from his advisory role in government a few months ago, said on Saturday, August 16, 2025, that he will strongly resist attempts by political leaders to drag an entire community into what he described as divisive politics.

“In the past weeks, I have heard leaders claiming that some communities see themselves as superior to others from Kamket to Mandago and now Duale in Balambala. Some of us have said clearly that we will not allow this country to slide back into tribal politics. Equally, we will resist any effort to condemn Mt Kenya people as a block,” Kuria wrote on his X account.

The former Trade CS went further to tell Duale and Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago to direct their criticism toward individuals, not an entire region. He also warned that such language could trigger negative consequences if left unchecked.

“If you have an issue with one person from Mt Kenya, deal with them directly. If someone from our community has wronged you, tell me and I will repay you myself. But do not punish a whole community. Pushing us to the wall may lead to outcomes that no one intends,” he said.

Health CS Duale, speaking in Balambala on the same day, insisted that the days of entitlement in national politics are over. He said the 2010 Constitution and devolution had changed Kenya’s governance structure, ensuring all regions get their fair share.

“The era where one community appeared to carry more weight than others is gone. With devolution, every Kenyan has equal rights to resources and opportunities,” Duale stated.

Duale also rallied leaders and residents from Northeastern Kenya to back President William Ruto’s re-election bid, saying the region stands to benefit more by remaining firmly in government.