Aden Duale: How Majority Leader Might Survive Jubilee Purge

President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) with Deputy President William Ruto (right) and Majority Leader Aden Duale at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on January 29, 2014.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) with Deputy President William Ruto (right) and Majority Leader Aden Duale at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on January 29, 2014.
PSCU

The Office of the Leader of Majority Party is established under Article 108 of the Constitution where the leader of the majority party is the person who is the leader in the National Assembly of the largest coalition or coalition of parties.

Garissa Town MP Aden Duale has been the leader of the Majority in the National Assembly for two terms - he's the first holder of the office in 11th and 12th Parliaments under the current constitution.

As the Leader of the Majority, he is the sponsor of all government bills with a track record of 150 Bills sponsored from 2013 to date. 

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale (left) and Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen during a past function at Jubilee party headquarters
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale (left) and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen during a past function at Jubilee party headquarters.
Citizen Digital

Recent political uncertainty, in the Jubilee Party, has put his fate as the Majority Leader in question especially after the ouster of Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.

A source close to Duale who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, stated that the legislator's position was assured adding that the possibility of the ouster was exacerbated by media reports.

Dismissing reports by local publications of plans to oust him for the powerful seat, the source stated that the majority leader had the support of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"He has the confidence of both the party leader (Uhuru Kenyatta) and the deputy party leader (William Ruto)," he stated.

Furthermore, having served as the majority leader for two terms, Duale has developed a good working relationship with members of the house. With this, he is assured that he will not be voted out, the source argues.

"He has a good rapport with leaders both on the opposition and the government side by being objective to his core role as per the constitution and making sure he delivers for the government," he added.

A photo of National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale addressing reporters in Nairobi on May 22, 2019.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale addressing reporters in Nairobi on May 22, 2019.

In a previous interview with Kenyans.co.ke, analyst Herman Mayora opined that Duale would be spared in the Jubilee purge but his loyalty would be tested.

"For Duale, what he has to do now is not only support the president but actually facilitate the removal of the 'rebels' from the positions of power in Parliament," he told this writer at the time.

The seasoned politician has fought for the President's agenda on several occasions with one of the most notable ones being the passing of the amendments of the Elections Act, ahead of the October 26 repeat presidential poll.

Despite strong resistance from the National Super Alliance (NASA) MPs, the Majority Leader marshalled Jubilee MPs into securing the extraordinary sitting where a special committee was formed to scrutinise changes to the Elections (Amendment) Act, 2017.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale addresses the media on June 13, 2019.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale addresses the media on June 13, 2019.
Citizen Digital

The majority leader has equally been vocal in his support for President Kenyatta and the Deputy President.

“If Uhuru and Ruto told me to jump from the top of the KICC and assured me that I will not break my leg, I will jump. I am so much indebted to these men. I can do anything for Ruto and Uhuru under the sun,” Duale was quoted on September 29, 2014.