Uhuru Might See Gachagua & Disrupt My Book Launch- CS Duale

Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale on Wednesday, November 10 revealed that he omitted former President Uhuru Kenyatta from the list of guests set to grace the launch of his new book.

Duale who will be launching his book 'For The Record' on Thursday, May 11, noted that he excluded his former boss from the list of invited guests.

Speaking to Citizen TV's Jeff Koinange, the Defence CS feared that Uhuru might disrupt his function if he showed up, alluding to his behaviour during his impromptu visit to Jubilee Party headquarters.

Defence CS Aden Duale during an interview with Citizen TV on May 10, 2023. /TWITTER.JEFF KOINANGE

"President Kenyatta, of late, after I saw how he was behaving at the Jubilee offices, I can't invite him.

"He can disrupt my function and you know he is my buddy and I cannot remove him forcefully," Duale quipped.

The CS further expressed his concern regarding the political rivalry in the Mount Kenya region pitting the former President against the regional allies of President William Ruto, including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

"I want him to watch my launch from the television. I could have invited him but I'm scared he might get annoyed when he sees Riggy G (referring to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua) and Ichung'wa (Kimani) and he disrupts my event," he went on.

According to the Defence CS, Ruto and his deputy will grace the event accompanied by top politicians in Kenya and dignitaries from across the world. Duale however assured that he would deliver a copy of the book to Uhuru.

The book is dedicated to Duale's journey in politics from 2007 to 2022 as well as his explosive rise to the helm of Kenya's political atmosphere. According to him, the book contains stories about the "sunshine and rainbows; and about the betrayal, the deceit and the hypocrisy" in politics.

It also addresses politics of deceit and the 10-year tenure of the Jubilee government where he served as the first Leader of the Majority Party in the 11th and 12th parliaments, until June 2020 when he was replaced with former Kipipiri MP, Amos Kimunya.

The former Garrisa Township MP has an entire chapter in place dedicated to Uhuru in his book titled ’22 Minutes’, which revealed how it took Uhuru only 22 minutes to kick him out as National Assembly Majority Leader after serving for almost two terms.

Duale's Breakup With Raila

On his fallout with Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, Duale alleged that Raila had a hand in firing him as an Assistant Livestock Minister together with Ruto, who was the then Minister for Agriculture, a matter which saw Ruto drift off the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

“It is Raila who fired Ruto…William Ruto and I were fired on the same day. It was around three o’clock.

"I was in my office and the screens showed the following have been sacked as ministers,” Duale said.

The CS and President Ruto met while they were members of ODM under Raila's leadership.

On August 24, 2011, Raila who was then Kenya’s prime minister axed rebel party members from his cabinet. They included the then East African Community Minister Hellen Sambili, Duale, and Ruto.

President William Ruto and Defence CS Aden Duale at KICC during Iftar. /PCS