•Revealing details of his visits to Duale's house, the President said the CS's wife demonstrated hospitality
•Duale is one of Ruto’s close allies with their relationship dating back to before 2013 when the Jubilee party took over.
Image: Handout
President William Ruto has paid tribute to Defence CS Aden Duale, describing him as a loyal friend.
On Thursday evening, Ruto said that the CS being one of his close friends, is always there and he could count on him.
"I’m truly proud to be your friend. You have taught me loyalty. You have learned from me and we have all grown together as friends," he said.
Ruto was speaking at Serena Hotel when Duale unveiled his highly publicised book 'For The Record'.
Emphasizing loyalty, the President said he was hopeful the younger politicians can learn from them that loyalty pays.
"Loyalty has paid for me and it has paid for Duale. It is good to be genuine with friendship, loyal to friends and it's good to speak your mind when things go wrong," Ruto said.
As much as Duale is a team player, the President said the CS is problematic but they have always built a team.
Speaking of his friendship with Duale, Ruto said that the politicians should learn from them.
"We are available to mentor our younger politicians. We all want to retire in a country where we have better leaders. That is the heritage we can give these young ones," he said.
Revealing details of his visits to Duale's house, the President said the CS's wife demonstrated hospitality
"I have been to Aden Duale’s house countless times and all the time we are served tea and food. To the wife, thank you for standing by Duale," he said.
Going further, Ruto described Duale's book 'For the Record' as one which speaks on truth, deceit and also success.
In the book, the President said Duale presented two decades' worth of political action, conversation, and events.
"This book tells us of the political history in great detail, flavoured with the unreserved fragrance of Duale. It's a big challenge Duale has given us to document our journey," Ruto noted.
The President added that the launch of the book was made possible by hard work and a desire to make a difference for people and also for the country
"This is not just a book of politicians, it is about a man and his public life as a civil servant, a story that is forged in the heart of Garissa town," Ruto added.
Going down memory lane, Duale said the two met while they were members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
"William Ruto and I met in ODM, we became victims of Baba, we found that we share more and agree more," he said.
Duale is one of Ruto’s close allies with their relationship dating back to before 2013 when the Jubilee party took over.
CS Duale and Ruto who were ODM rebels left the Raila Odinga-led party and formed the United Republican Party, which entered into a coalition agreement with The National Alliance to form Jubilee.