Environment, Climate Change and Forestry CS nominee Aden Duale has clarified the usage of military choppers by public officers.
Duale cleared the air on the issue of military aircraft usage saying it brought him bad publicity during his tenure at the ministry.
Duale was responding to a question from a member during his vetting, on whether the Deputy President is allowed to use military choppers.
He explained that only the President and the First Lady have the authority to use such resources for official duties.
The former Defence CS explained that it is up to the Commander in Chief who is the President, to allow any other individual to use such resources.
"Let me say it because it gave me a lot of bad publicity but when you serve in a public office that is part of life," Duale said.
"The President and First Lady are the people who are allowed to use military air assets. If the Commander-in-Chief allows the Speaker of the National Assembly to be airlifted from Nairobi to Bungoma that is in order," Duale said.
Previously, there had been public concern that DP Rigathi Gachagua was being deliberately denied access to the KDF choppers.
He was even seen using public air transport during his tour to Mombasa, carrying his own luggage.
Duale was the second nominee to appear for vetting on Friday, after Andrew Karanja.
Karanja is the CS nominee for Agriculture.
On Thursday, the first batch of five nominees were vetted by the Committee on Appointments.
