Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a bold scorecard on national security, asserting that Kenya has successfully averted all major terrorist attacks since President William Ruto took office, a feat he claims distinguishes this administration from its predecessors.

Duale’s declaration is more than a victory lap; it is a politicized assertion of competence aimed at consolidating support in the North Eastern region. By juxtaposing current stability with the bloody history of Westgate and Garissa University, he is crafting a narrative of "strongman" leadership that resonates deeply with a constituency scarred by decades of insecurity. It is a claim that invites scrutiny but also highlights the undeniable calm that has prevailed in recent years.

The Politics of Security

Speaking in Garissa, Duale did not mince words. He directly compared the current administration’s record with the tenure of former officials, specifically targeting former Interior CS Fred Matiangi. He cited the lack of large-scale assaults on the scale of the DusitD2 complex attack as proof that the security apparatus is now more robust and intelligence-led.

"In your three and a half years in office, there has been no terror attack of the magnitude of the Garissa University attack... You have stabilized the country," Duale proclaimed, directly addressing the President. This narrative serves to delegitimize the opposition by painting them as failures in the most critical function of the state: protecting life.

• Historical Context: The CS referenced the dark days of the Shabaab insurgency, reminding residents of the curfews and fear that once defined life in the region.
• Service Delivery: Beyond guns and boots, Duale highlighted the reopening of passport offices, contrasting it with their closure under the previous regime, which he termed as collective punishment.
• The Matiangi Factor: The attacks on the former "Super CS" indicate that the government is still keen on dismantling the legacy of the Kenyatta administration, using security as the wedge issue.

Vigilance vs Complacency

While the absence of major attacks is a statistic to celebrate, security experts warn against complacency. The threat of terrorism is fluid, often shifting from spectacular urban attacks to low-level insurgency in border areas. Duale’s confidence must be matched by continued investment in intelligence and community policing.

For the residents of North Eastern Kenya, however, peace is not an abstract concept—it is the difference between life and death. If the government can maintain this trajectory, it will have delivered the ultimate dividend of democracy.

Security is the bedrock of our development, and for now, the ledger is in the green.