- Residents who spoke to the press thanked the President for nominating Duale.
- On Tuesday moments being nominated to the Cabinet, Duale took to his Facebook page to thank the President.
Image: FILE
Garissa Township MP Aden Duale's loyalty to President William Ruto has paid off after he was nominated Defence Cabinet Secretary.
Duale, who has served as MP for 15 years, was the only nominee from Northeastern in the Cabinet lineup announced by Ruto on Tuesday.
The Garissa MP's relationship with Ruto began in 2007 when he first joined parliament. Ruto played a major role in having him appointed assistant minister for Livestock in the grand coalition government.
In 2013, they formed the URP party and he was again appointed the Majority Leader in the National Assembly.
Residents who spoke to the press thanked the President for nominating Duale.
According to Abdi Ali, an ardent supporter of Duale, the lawmaker has risked his political career by standing with Ruto when they formed the UDA party.
Ali said Duale did this despite pressure from former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his move cost him the majority leader seat.
Duale is on record saying that he was approached by Uhuru and asked to choose between him and Ruto.
“By standing with Ruto, Duale was putting his political career on the line. even when a majority of his colleagues from Northeastern seemed pro-Uhuru he remained steadfast and loyal to Ruto, his gamble finally paid,” Ali said.
Ali also said that Ruto has kept his promise of rewarding those who stood with him and that move has secured his presidency.
He said Duale's appointment to the Defence docket will play a major role in enhancing security and more so the fight against al Shabaab terror group.
“Being a local and by virtue that we have borne the brunt of al Shabaab attacks Duale is best placed to address cross border security issues where our military is involved in combating terror groups,” he said.
Baraki MCA Hassan Geley who is also a close ally of Duale thank Ruto for nominating the MP and said Duale will improve security
“Duale should hit the ground running and engage the relevant authorities in Somalia to eliminate al Shabaab. He remains to be one of the best majority leaders in the National Assembly,” Geley said.
"He set the bar too high and delivered when called upon, we believe he will do the same under his new docket and deal with security issues that have bedevilled the county. he should work closely with his interior counterpart in the spirit of a multi-agency approach."
On Tuesday moments being nominated to the Cabinet, Duale took to his Facebook page to thank the President.
“Thank you, my boss, my friend and my president. I received the news of my nomination as the next Cabinet Secretary for Defence with much honour, joy and humility," Duale posted.
“I am indeed humbled for the opportunity to serve the people of Kenya. I thank you my president for your belief in my leadership and for bestowing me with this noble opportunity. I look forward to serving the people under your leadership and guidance, I shall ensure that Kenya's territorial sovereignty is upheld at all times."
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
Image: FILE