A storm is brewing in Garissa after a viral video surfaced showing Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale allegedly locking himself inside a mosque while denying other Muslims access to pray.
In the emotionally charged video, a visibly distraught man records from outside the Masjid Al-Abrar, accusing Duale of turning a sacred space into a personal fortress.
“What kind of Islam does this CS Duale practice if he locks people out of a mosque? Just because he built this mosque, is that why he’s locking himself inside?” the man questions.
The footage captures dozens of frustrated worshippers, many dressed in kanzus, milling around locked gates, some holding their heads in disbelief.
A police vehicle and a white car believed to be Duale’s are seen parked nearby, with officers standing guard further fueling speculation that the Cabinet Secretary was inside.
The tension unfolded just hours before Eid al-Adha, one of Islam’s holiest festivals, intensifying the backlash.
Eid, traditionally a day of unity, prayer, and charity, took on an ironic tone as faithfuls were barred from entering a mosque allegedly gifted to them by the very man now keeping them out.
On the same day, June 5, Duale had proudly announced the official opening of Masjid Al-Abrar, a mosque built in memory of his late parents.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), he described it as “a heartfelt gift to the people of Garissa” and “a hub for both spiritual growth and social support.”
But within hours, the narrative flipped from pride to public outrage.
The Cabinet Secretary has yet to publicly respond to the viral video or the claims. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting for an explanation, especially given the religious significance of the day and the symbolic weight of mosque ownership in Islam.
By Nairobi