Garissa Township MP Aden Duale has opened up about a 45-minute meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta after the fallout with Deputy President William Ruto.
Speaking to NTV on Saturday, June 25, the former majority leader in the National Assembly disclosed that he had been friends with both the Head of State and his deputy before he was put on the spot to declare his political leaning.
Initially, Duale noted that Uhuru had assured him of his support for the DP's Presidency but he later demanded answers after the fallout became public.
"I was in a state of denial because more than 40 times I asked the President, 'are you reneging on your relationship with the DP on supporting him for the next general election.' The President Used to tell me 'no no no, I didn't tell anybody William Ruto is still my favourite.'
"I focused primarily on the function of the leader of the majority. Before that PG started, I had a 45-minute man-to-man candid discussion with the President, Of the many things he discussed about his deputy, I just asked him 'get to the point, what do you want me to do. We have a PG waiting," Duale stated.
In his response, Uhuru was frank about Duale's work ethic and flatly asked him to choose his preferred political faction between Jubillee and UDA, led by Ruto.
He further noted that around the same time, some individuals close to the Head of State were advising him to oust him from the powerful House leadership position.
"For the first time, the President said, 'You know Hon Duale you are my best friend, You have delivered on your mandate. You are one of the top leaders I respect in the country.' But the people around me are saying that you have a split loyalty. He went further and said, 'You know people in my inner circle are saying even if you remove all these chairs (in Parliament), you have not cleared William Ruto, the big snake is still in the house and that is Duale.' That was the time I opposed BBI.
"The President said, 'You have a split loyalty. today you have to decide between me and the DP. I had only two words. I said I am a Muslim and I became the leader of the Majority courtesy of URP as a founder member. Two, all of Ruto's political life, has done good deeds for me and my family. I said as a Muslim, I cannot be part and parcel of a group that coalesces around you that wants to humiliate the office of the DP," he explained his departure.
Soon after, he offered to relinquish his seat and advised his successor Amos Kimunya to ensure that he has a direct access to the President on an hourly basis.
The job was so demanding that he held conversations with the President and the DP on a daily basis. Calls from the two were always the last before he went to bed.
"I told him 'Mr President, you are my best friend, let me go. I am ready to relinquish myself as the leader of the majority. Look for somebody else," he explained.
His relationship with the DP has since grown noting that Ruto has visited his Nairobi homestead more than 50 times. "I think he has visited my house more than any other in Nairobi."
Duale was kicked out as majority leader in June 2020, in a de-whipping exercise that saw Uhuru axe all politicians allied to his deputy. Others included Kipchumba Murkomen, Susan Kihika, Benjamin Washiali and Irungu Kang'ata.
