Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has claimed that the Kenyatta family owns shares in the Nairobi Expressway and aircraft leased to Kenya Airways.
Duale made the allegations in Garissa while speaking during the opening of a boarding wing at Imam Malik Madrasa. His remarks came amid growing political debate over the proposed Sh2.2 trillion Dangote refinery project in Lamu and demands for greater transparency around major investments.
Duale Makes Expressway and Kenya Airways Claims
Duale said the ownership of aircraft leased to Kenya Airways should be examined when discussing the airline’s financial challenges.
“We know who the owners of Kenya Airways aircraft are and it’s the reason why it’s collapsing and it’s in debt because they are charging a very expensive leasing rate,” he said.
He then turned his attention to the Nairobi Expressway, challenging leaders who have questioned ownership structures surrounding major infrastructure projects.
“I want Ndindi Nyoro and other people to tell Kenyans who the shareholders of the Expressway are. The Kenyatta family owns shares in the Expressway,” Duale said.
The claims have not, however, been independently established in the reports cited above. They come as political leaders continue to debate ownership, financing and contractual arrangements surrounding major projects.
Defence of Dangote Refinery Investment
Duale also defended President William Ruto’s administration against criticism over the proposed Dangote oil refinery in Lamu County.
The project, valued at about Sh2.2 trillion, has attracted scrutiny from leaders including Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. They have called for greater disclosure of the agreement and details surrounding the project’s ownership and government commitments.
Duale argued that criticism of the investment should be weighed against the government’s efforts to attract foreign capital. He claimed foreign direct investment had increased from $1.6 billion in 2022 to $2 billion under Ruto’s administration.
He attributed the increase to what he described as improved investor confidence and government efforts to address corruption and cartels.
Political Battle Intensifies
Duale also warned that he would disclose more information if critics continued attacking the government and the Dangote refinery project.
The remarks add another layer to an increasingly heated political debate over major infrastructure and investment deals. Opposition and government-aligned leaders have continued to trade claims over transparency, ownership and the economic impact of large projects.
Duale further said pastoralist and Muslim communities across 14 counties would support President Ruto in the 2027 General Election. That statement places the controversy within the wider political realignments already taking shape ahead of the poll.
For now, Duale’s claims about the Nairobi Expressway and Kenya Airways aircraft remain allegations. Further documentary evidence or official records would be needed to independently verify the ownership and leasing assertions.
The controversy is likely to keep attention focused on transparency around Kenya’s major infrastructure projects as political debate over the 2027 election intensifies.
