Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale /HANDOUT

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Saturday defended Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) director Mohamed Amin following renewed attacks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking in Nairobi when he presided over a resource mobilisation drive for Markaz Al-Imam Shafii Madrasa in Tarbaj constituency, Wajir county, Duale warned Gachagua against intimidating public officers executing their constitutional mandates.

The CS said the DCI chief had not killed anybody.

He maintained that partisan political interests must not undermine the integrity and independence of public institutions, adding that public officers should not face threats or intimidation for executing their duties.

The CS challenged Gachagua to respect government institutions and allow law enforcement agencies to discharge their responsibilities without political interference.

He said matters touching on security and criminal investigations should be addressed through established institutional channels and not public political confrontations.

"Mr Gachagua, you cannot threaten DCI Director Mohamed Amin. You must know that our boys and girls who are serving in this government are here by right and they will continue to be there. Mohamed Amin has not killed anybody," Duale said.

The CS further accused Gachagua of remaining silent when Kenyans, including those from his own region, were allegedly being killed in the previous administrations.

He specifically referenced the tenure of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, former DCI Director George Kinoti and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, questioning why Gachagua had not raised similar concerns at the time.

"When Fred Matiang'i, former DCI Director George Kinoti and their political godfather , former President Uhuru Kenyatta, were in power and Kenyans were being killed, you did not speak out," Duale said.

In his remarks during an interview with a local TV station last week, Gachagua directly addressed Amin, warning that he would one day be held accountable for alleged killings and abductions carried out under his watch.

"I want to tell Mohamed Amin that, whether today, tonight or next year, you will have your day in court. There is no way you can continue presiding over operations in which Kenyans are killed," Gachagua said.

Gachagua further claimed that officers implicated in previous killings had been arrested and taken to court during his tenure in government, but alleged that subsequent efforts were made to secure their release.

He accused the government of using security officers with a history of involvement in killings to intimidate and target individuals perceived to be opposed to the administration.

The former Deputy President also warned police officers allegedly involved in abductions and killings that they would eventually be held personally accountable.

"Unless they kill us first, and me in particular, they will eventually face justice," he said.

Gachagua assured officers willing to provide information that their identities would be protected and the information treated confidentially to facilitate investigations and prosecution of those responsible.

He further promised families whose relatives had allegedly been abducted or killed that they would obtain justice under the next administration.

The former Deputy President maintained that threats would not deter him or young Kenyans from exercising their constitutional and political rights.

The latest exchange adds to an increasingly bitter war of words between the two leaders, who have repeatedly traded accusations in recent months over political and national issues.

The exchange comes amid continuing public debate over allegations of abductions and extrajudicial killings in Kenya, with calls for accountability, independent investigations and respect for the rule of law.