Defence Cabinet Secretary nominee Aden Duale was put to task over a promise he made in 2015 to name the terrorist sympathizers who had been funding Al Shabaab activities in the country.
Appearing before the National Assembly vetting committee on Monday, October 17, Leader of Minority Opiyo Wandayi wanted to know why Duale was yet to make public the list seven years down the line.
The CS nominee refuted claims that he made such a promise, adding that the media had misquoted him on the issue.
"At the time, I was with the leadership of Nothern Kenya and what we said was that we urged our communities to come out and help government and security agents in identifying among the communities or neighbourhoods who are funding the terrorists.
"I do not have the capacity to conduct investigations any individual or prosecute them because there are offices with that mandate investigate and," Duale stated.
Questions on His Nationality
The Garissa Town Member of Parliament (MP) addressed concerns on whether his ethnicity as a Somali would create a conflict of interest when dealing with the Al Shabaab.
While he agreed that he was a Kenyan Somali, he ascertained that he was first a Kenyan. He further called out the stereotype held against his community.
"There is a narrative about Somalis spread across the world but wherever they are, the citizenship they have is where they are loyal to. Treat me as you would treat others as I am not the first Somali to hold the position of Defence.
"The late Yusuf Hajji led the docket and I will serve the people of Kenya in accordance with the constitution," the MP declared.
Muhoozi Tweet Rant
Duale was questioned on his opinion on how the Ministry of Defence handled the friction caused by the Ugandan People's Defence Force (UPDF) General Muhoozi Kainerubaga.
He reckoned that the proclamations by Muhoozi could not be taken as a military threat but only as a diplomatic tiff which had been handled appropriately.
"Our country believes in diplomacy and we do not react to tweets but to official government positions. For those who want to know the capability of our military, we displayed that during the KDF Day celebrations.
"Let us treat the content with the contempt it deserves. In any case, Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) dealt with the general before the KDF and the Ministry could," the lamwmaker maintained.
Migingo Debacle
The committee chaired by Speaker Moses Wetangula questioned how, if approved for appointment, he will conclusively deal with the issue on Migingo Island.
During an interview with KTN News President Museveni claimed that while the island was in Kenya while the waters were part of Ugandan territory.
"The key mandate of KDF is to protect the sovereign and territorial integrity of the Republic and that will stand. Notably, there is an MoU between KDF and UPDF on a number of cooperation agreements.
"In addition, there is a Government Boundary Committee set up to handle the matter which is yet to give its final report," the nominee reiterated.
KDF Taking up Civilian Roles
Duale was also charged to explain whether he would continue with the procedure of having the military run organizations which should otherwise be run by civilians.
He affirmed that under his leadership, the disciplined forces will only execute the constitutional mandate and that any intrusion into civilian roles will be within the law.
"I want to make it categorically clear that under Article 241, KDF had three functions: protect the sovereignty and dignity of the Republic of Kenya, assist civilians and other government agencies when called upon on emergency matters and upon approval by parliament, and when called upon to help when there are insecurity cases which the NPS cannot handle.
He added that as a CS he will discharge his oversight role to keep the operations of the KDF in check.
