CS Aden Duale Keeps Promise, Quits Active Politics
Duale remarked that he would step down from Kenya's ever-changing political arena in the event President William Ruto was elected and assumed office.
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Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale on Saturday, December 30 announced his retirement from active politics, honouring a promise he made on the matter in 2019.
In a statement, Duale remarked that he would step down from Kenya's ever-changing political arena in the event President William Ruto was elected and assumed office.
“My word is my bond. I promised Kenyans that once President William Ruto takes the mantle of leadership, I will retire from active politics. I have," he stated in part.
Duale reminisced about his time serving as Garissa Township Member of Parliament (MP) and appreciated the moves Parliament was making in the transformation of Kenya.
Left to right: President William Ruto talks to his deputy Rigathi Gachagua and Garissa Town MP Aden Duale during a past event. /FACEBOOK
“Having been a long-serving legislator myself, I have a lot of regard for our Parliament.
"That house has the capacity and capability to transform this country for the better. They owe it to Kenyans,” Duale stated.
The former Majority Leader of the National Assembly had in 2019 expressed his desire to leave politics should Ruto become president, hinting at serving at State House as a clerk in the Kenya Kwanza administration.
"If I have people whom I have respect for and I could work with it's Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto.
"But my candidate for 2022 is William Ruto and I even said it and I don't know why you are not quoting me that when Ruto becomes president I will retire from politics. If he becomes the president I can even serve as a clerk in the State House," he said.
Duale was the Jubilee Party’s Majority Leader of the National Assembly in the 11th Parliament from 2013 to 2017 and the 12th Parliament from 2017 to 2020, when he was kicked out for alleged disloyalty to Jubilee Party leader, former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He was originally elected Garissa Township MP under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in 2007 but left the party in 2009 to form the United Republican Party (URP) alongside President Ruto. He was re-elected in the 2013 general elections under URP and in 2017 under the Jubilee Party.
In the August 2022 general elections, Duale again won the seat under the now-ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party but resigned a month later after being appointed as the Defence Cabinet Secretary.
He has sponsored various bills in Parliament including; The Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Bill, 2014, The Public Service (Values and Principles) Bill, 2014, The Persons Deprived of Liberty Bill, 2014, The Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Amendment) Bill, 2014, The Statute Law Miscellaneous Bill, 2014, The Transfer of Prisoners Bill, 2014, The Fisheries Management and Development Bill, 2014, The Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, 2014, The Insolvency Bill, 2014 and The Mining Bill, 2014.
During his vetting for the CS position, Duale told the National Assembly Committee on Appointment on Monday, October 17 that he is valued at Ksh851 million, which includes assets such as goats, sheep and camels.
“I am worth Ksh851 million including assets, goats, sheep and camels. I had to value my 231 camels in Kitui County. My current source of income, including rental income, is Ksh10 million annually," he said.
