President William Ruto has summarily dismissed a proposed televised debate between Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, terming it a futile engagement with a "fool" that would only derail the government’s development agenda.

The rejection, delivered during a high-stakes tour of Garissa, underscores the widening rift in the ruling coalition and Ruto’s intent to insulate his administration from the noise. By shutting down the debate, Ruto is signaling a zero-tolerance policy for political theater that threatens to overshadow his delivery record in the marginalized North Eastern region. His declaration draws a firm line in the sand: the time for rhetoric is over, and the era of tangible delivery has begun.

The Politics of Distraction

The proposed debate, which CS Duale had suggested be hosted on Citizen TV’s "Jeff Koinange Live", was billed as a showdown to settle scores regarding development in the North Eastern region. However, President Ruto, speaking to an energized crowd, refused to sanction what he viewed as a gladiator match with no value to the common citizen.

"I want to tell my friend Aden Duale, those who know English normally say, Dont argue with a fool; people will not know the difference," Ruto stated, his words cutting through the humid Garissa air. "Let us not waste our time. We have an agenda for this nation and a programme."

This dismissal effectively neuters Gachagua’s recent attempts to rally support by questioning the government’s commitment to the region. By refusing to engage, the President denies his former deputy the oxygen of publicity he desperately seeks.

• NYOTA Fund Rollout: Instead of debates, the President focused on the launch of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) funds, a direct financial injection aimed at uplifting the region’s youth.
• Madaraka Day History: In a symbolic first, Ruto announced that this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations will be hosted in the North Eastern region, a move aimed at integrating the frontier counties into the national fabric.
• Security Assurances: The President also used the platform to dismiss allegations of secret meetings with Al Shabaab, reaffirming his administration’s uncompromising stance on terror.

A Region Transformed

The backdrop of this political drama is a region that has long felt the sting of marginalization. Ruto’s visit is calculated to reassure residents that they are central to his "Bottom-Up" economic transformation plan. The President’s rhetoric was carefully calibrated to shift the focus from personality cults to policy outcomes.

"We are moving together," Ruto assured the residents, emphasizing that his government sees North Eastern Kenya not as a security buffer zone, but as a frontier of economic potential. The message is clear: while politicians bicker, the state machinery will continue to grind out results.

As the dust settles in Garissa, the President’s "Don’t argue with a fool" quip is likely to become the defining soundbite of the tour, a brutal but effective shutting of the door on political detractors. For Duale, it is a directive to get back to work; for Gachagua, it is a stark reminder of his diminishing influence.