Mark Oloo: Why Aden Duale is a student of Abraham Lincoln

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Mark Rutte is a man for all seasons. At the end of his tenure as Dutch prime minister in July 2024, he handed over power and rode home on his bicycle.

The image astonished journalists and the public alike as Rutte pedalled through the busy streets of The Hague, unfazed by the afternoon traffic. He did not even fear for his security. It was a simple act, yet one that spoke volumes about his leadership style and personal beliefs.

Simplicity often reveals qualities that are difficult to fake, particularly for high-profile politicians who spend much of their public lives projecting carefully crafted images.

That lesson came to mind last week when Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale declined to sit on a VIP chair during a public event held in Mombasa. Instead, he chose a seat similar to everyone else's. He said he’s not more important than the audience.

Quoting Vladimir Lenin, Duale said people from humble backgrounds shouldn’t allow power or wealth to make them forget where they came from. Two weeks ago, Duale was in the dock and expressed remorse to the High Court in Milimani over the controversial construction of an Ebola treatment facility in Laikipia County.

The Cabinet Secretary faced contempt proceedings after construction of the facility continued despite a court order halting it. Whether by instinct or calculation, Duale has demonstrated an ability to navigate storms and identify with the people while remaining firmly in the public eye.

He aligns with the ‘hustler’ narrative that propelled President William Ruto to power in the 2022 General Election. But then Duale is not alone in using humility as a powerful political asset. History offers examples of leaders whose modest lifestyles strengthened their public appeal.

Former Uruguayan president José Mujica became famous for driving an old Volkswagen Beetle and donating much of his salary to charity. Former US president Abraham Lincoln's humble beginnings remained central to his political identity throughout his career.

Similarly, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has also cultivated a reputation for accessibility and an unpretentious leadership style despite heading one of the world's wealthiest nations.

Humility, however, is more than symbolic gestures. Ultimately, it is measured by actions, respect for institutions and a willingness to remain accountable even when exercising power. Public displays of modesty carry greater meaning when they are matched by conduct in office.

Duale has repeatedly shown himself to be a resilient politician, often performing best when confronted with adversity. When former President Uhuru Kenyatta removed him as National Assembly Majority Leader months before the 2022 election, many expected his fall.

He continued campaigning for Ruto, then the deputy president, despite mounting pressure on the latter's allies. Against considerable odds, Duale retained his Garissa Township parliamentary seat, defying expectations and reinforcing his standing within Kenya Kwanza.

Today, he ranks among President Ruto's closest confidants, serving in one of the government's most demanding ministries. Observers see Duale as the most influential leader in northern Kenya who could decide the region’s future prospects.

His organisational skills, loyalty to the President and resilience have earned him serious political capital. If he maintains that trajectory, and if Kenya's political landscape evolves as many expect after President Ruto's constitutional term ends in 2032, Duale is someone to watch.

Philosophers and political scientists will tell you that in politics, humility may not guarantee success, but when combined with resilience, discipline and strategic instincts, it can become one of a leader's greatest strengths.

-The writer is a communications practitioner