Garissa Township Member of Parliament, Aden Duale, has expressed his gratitude to President William Ruto for appointing him as the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Defence.
Duale on Tuesday, September 27, recounted the long journey he walked with President Ruto as his close ally, stating that the appointment was as an honour and an expression of faith in him.
He further vowed to serve earnestly in his capacity.
"What an honour that not once but thrice now, you have expressed faith in me by appointing me to serve with you the people of Kenya. I have no words to express my gratitude for the nomination but allow me to say thank you immensely,” he stated.
Duale met Ruto in 2007 when he was appointed to the Ministry of Livestock in the Grand Coalition. He attributed the appointment to Ruto.
“Indeed, our paths with you, Your Excellency, met in 2007 and since then our stars have shone brighter and brighter.
"We began our journey of serving the people together in 2007 and through you, My President, I was appointed to serve as Minister for Livestock in the Grand Coalition Government," read the statement in part.
Duale, then Dujis MP and Ruto were members of the Orange Democratic Movement Party under the leadership of Raila Odinga. They served together in the 10th parliament before their acrimonious fallout with Raila and ODM in 2012.
Duale was among the ODM MPs who stormed out of the party to follow Ruto in the newly formed United Republic Party (URP) 2012.
In the 2013 general election, Duale was elected as the Member of Parliament for Garissa Township and subsequently handed the powerful position of leader of the majority in both the 11th and 12th Parliaments.
He emerged as an integral part of the Jubilee administration in his role as the leader of government business in Parliament and an ardent defender of the party's agenda.
In the fallout between Ruto and former president Uhuru Kenyatta - Duale remained loyal to Ruto amid tribulations and alleged witchhunt by the government. This would later lead to his ouster from the position of the leader of the majority.
Moreover, Eliud Owalo, who was appointed ICT CS also thanked Ruto for allowing him to serve in his new administration.
"I express my gratitude to the president for the confidence that he has shown in me by assigning me to steer and transform this pivotal sector that is critical for the development of our economy.
"This is an opportunity for me to serve my country and to help the president deliver on the promises that we made to Kenyans. There is no greater honour than to serve one’s country. I promise to be responsive to the needs of Kenyans and to serve selflessly with diligence and efficacy," Owalo stated in a statement released on Tuesday, September 27.
