Duale to Gachagua: Don’t Turn ‘Tuko Kadi’ Into a Campaign Tool

Collage photo of Aden Duale and Rigathi Gachagua

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has cautioned political actors against hijacking the popular “Tuko Kadi” initiative for personal or partisan interests, insisting the campaign must remain non-political and inclusive.

Speaking during the 28th graduation ceremony at Khadija Bint Khuwaylid Madrassa in Garissa town, Duale said the Gen Z-driven movement is meant to unite young Kenyans around voter registration, not divide them along political or ethnic lines.

The CS explained that the initiative, whose name is Sheng for “We have the card,” has grown into a nationwide mobilisation drive encouraging youth to acquire national identity cards and register as voters ahead of future elections.

“I want Kenyans to go out and register en masse as voters. It’s about the future and the democracy of our country. This ‘Tuko Kadi’ initiative belongs to all Kenyans. Nobody should use it for their own political or ethnic advantage,” Duale said.

Launched in mid-February, the campaign has gained traction both online and on the ground, with thousands of previously unregistered young people stepping forward to participate in the democratic process.

Duale further pledged to follow up on delays in the issuance of national identity cards with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and officials at the National Registration Bureau in Nairobi, noting that access to IDs is key to voter registration.

At the same event, the Health CS issued a warning to individuals engaging in fraud within the health sector, saying the government has strengthened oversight under the Social Health Authority system.

“If you are used to exploiting the fraud-infested NHIF system, I want to tell you that the new digital system is robust and will detect any irregularities,” Duale said.

He added that fraud levels had significantly dropped, from over 36 percent to about 6 percent, and warned that anyone found culpable, including medics, facility owners or patients, would face the law.

Duale also defended the government’s development record under President William Ruto, pointing to progress in universal health coverage, affordable housing, education, infrastructure and economic stabilisation.

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo urged residents to take part in the ongoing voter registration exercise, terming participation in elections a fundamental democratic right.

He revealed that several national identity cards remain uncollected at the Huduma Centre and called on applicants to pick them up to enable voter registration.

Mwabudzo added that the county is targeting to register at least 4,000 new voters, noting that the exercise in the region is progressing well.