Community Elders in Garissa County have welcomed the reappointment of Aden Duale as the Cabinet Secretary for Defense by President William Ruto, saying it demonstrates the President’s confidence in him.
On Friday, President Ruto announced the first batch of 10 Cabinet Secretary nominees, which included Duale, as well as other former Cabinet Secretaries such as Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Alice Wahome (Lands and Public Works), Davis Chirchir (Roads), and Soipan Tuya (Environment).
The elders, who were drawn from different clans in Garissa, stated that Duale’s reappointment will help strengthen security in the Northeastern region and the country as a whole.
Dubat Amey, the chairperson of the Kenya Livestock Marketing Council, said the President has shown confidence in Duale and the people of Northeastern in restoring peace and tranquility in the country.
“We are here as elders of this county to express our appreciation to President William Ruto for showing confidence in our son. We are not taking for granted his kind gesture of retaining him,” Amey said.
Another elder, Osman Ibrahim, who is also the Dadaab peace committee chairman, said the country has witnessed relative peace after Duale was appointed as the Defense Cabinet Secretary.
He stated that Duale has been traversing the region and holding meetings with security personnel and locals, which has helped in quelling possible terror attacks.
Ares Yerrow Ibrahim, an elder, noted that the fact that the Northeastern region borders two countries with political instability, it is important to have someone with vast knowledge of the dynamics in the two countries to boost efforts in dealing with external interference in trade and peace.
After the President’s announcement, Duale took to social media to express his gratitude and said the nomination reflects the President’s and the Kenyan people’s trust and confidence in his ability to advance the country’s national security agenda.