Some Garissa elders have welcomed the reappointment of Aden Duale into Cabinet by President William Ruto, saying this shows the confidence he has in him.
On Friday President Ruto announced a list of the first batch of 1o Cabinet Secretary nominees meant to replace 21 the recently fired.
Among them was Duale who has been nominated together with other former CSs—Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Alice Wahome (Lands and Public Works), Davis Chirchir (Roads) and Soipan Tuya (Environment).
Others are Dr Debra Mulonga Barasa (Health), Julius Migos Ogamba (Education), Dr Andrew Mwihia Karanja (Agriculture and Livestock Development), Eric Muriithi Muuga (Water, Sanitation and Irrigation), and Margaret Nyambura Ndung'u (Information, Communication and the Digital Economy) and Rebecca Miano(AG).
Speaking to the press at a Garissa hotel, the elders drawn from different clans residing in Garissa further said that Duale’s re-appointment will help in strengthening security in Northeastern and the country at large.
The elders led by the Kenya Livestock Marketing Council chair Dubat Amey said the President has shown confidence in him and the people of Northeastern in restoring peace and tranquility in the country.
Duale has been the CS for the Defence ministry since October 2022 until July this year when President Ruto dissolved his Cabinet.
“We are here as elders of this county to express our appreciation to President William Ruto for showing confidence in our son. We are not taking for granted his kind gesture of retaining him. He could have chosen to pick another person but decided to retain him the same docket that he was serving,” Amey said.
“While we know all ministries are crucial in the country, this particular one which Duale heads holds dear to our hearts because it touches on security and as we are all aware we had heard insecurity challenges before and who better person to handle it than Duale. As they say, it is the wearer of the shoe who knows where it pinches the most."
Another elder Osman Ibrahim said that the country has witnessed relative peace after Duale was appointed Defence CS with residents volunteering information about suspected activities in the region that have assisted the security personnel in quelling possible terror attacks.
“Kenyans might have noticed that the attacks that used to happen daily across the region are no, longer there. Duale has played a big role in this as he had been traversing the region and holding meetings with not only security apparatus but locals as well,” Ibrahim who is also the Dadaab peace committee chairman said.
Ares Yerrow Ibrahim said that the fact that the Northeastern region borders two countries with political instability, it is important to have someone with vast knowledge of the dynamics in the two countries to boost efforts of the country in dealing with external interference both in trade and peace.
The elders pledged support for the President in delivering his manifesto by rallying behind him.
Moments after the president’s announcement, Duale took to X to express his gratitude to President Ruto for nominating him for a similar position.
Duale has said that the nomination reflects the President’s and Kenyan’s trust and confidence in his ability to advance national security.
“This nomination reflects the President’s and the Kenyan people’s profound trust and confidence in my ability to advance our nation’s agenda and more particularly the national security of our nation hence contribute to its greatness," Duale said.
He has said that he is ready and willing to present himself to the National Assembly committee for vetting and public scrutiny.
“Am ready and willing to present myself to the relevant National Assembly for vetting and public scrutiny,” Duale said.