Kimani Ichung’wah, Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly, reflected on the great times he had with Defence Cabinet Secretary nominee, Aden Duale, during the latter’s emotional farewell to the 13th Parliament on Wednesday, October 26.
The Kikuyu legislator recalled Duale making a phone call to his wife, informing her that the family would be taken care of if anything happened to Ichung’wah.
At the time, Ichung’wah noted a number of mysterious disappearances and murders, which he claimed were orchestrated as a form of a political witchhunt against those who opposed the previous regime.
“I can proudly say that he is my friend and a friend to my family. Mr. Speaker, during the past regime, I remember one time accompanied by my two daughters, I drove to Duale’s house. The following day he called my wife and told her this: ‘Since there were lots of disappearances and murders in the country, should anything happen to your husband, the children would be taken care of by Duale and William Ruto,” Ichung’wah recalled.
Duale, who urged Ichung’wah’s wife to support her husband during the difficult times, noted that they talked on the phone until the early hours of the morning.
“He also said ‘support your husband and we pray for him.’ I know that Aden Duale and his wife on many occasions would call me late at night,” he added.
The majority leader praised him as a family friend and close colleague and urged the Defence CS nominee to protect the country’s borders as he takes over the coveted docket.
“At one point, he used to sleep at 10 pm but we transitioned him to sleep at midnight. Now, he’s taking over a job that he will never sleep, be ready not to sleep as you defend our borders and lead our generals and defence forces,” Ichung’wah noted.
Duale officially resigned as Garissa Township Member of Parliament during the proceedings to take over the Cabinet position in Ruto’s government.
Kandara Member of Parliament Alice Wahome also resigned after being appointed as the next Water Cabinet Secretary, as did Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who will be in charge of the Transport portfolio.
