KDF bosses feared my work style, not me, Duale tells team

Aden Barre Duale, nominee for the position of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry CS before the Committee on Appointments at the Mini Chambers, County Hall, Nairobi. August 2, 2024 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The controversial shuffling of Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee Aden Duale from the Defence Ministry came up during his vetting by a parliamentary committee on Friday.

Duale had to clarify his relationship with the Kenya Defence Forces amid reports that the nominee was "feared" among the military circles.

"What is in the public domain is that the military has feared you, and you have become more military than them. Is it true?" posed Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi, who sits in the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments.

"I don't think the rank and file and the leadership of the Defence Ministry fear me - maybe my style. I will take the same style to the Environment Ministry," responded Duale, promising to crack down on corruption and illegal acquisition of forest land.

The nominee was dismissed last month owing to youth-led protests that shook President William Ruto's administration. He is among the recycled cabinet secretaries and had initially been reinstated to the Defence docket before he was switched with former Environment CS Soipan Tuya.

"Is it that the president doubted his ability or leadership capacity?" questioned Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, with Duale responding that it was within Ruto's power to reorganise his Cabinet as he pleased.

Amisi, also a member of the National Assembly's Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, was also concerned about civilian public officers, such as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, flying in military aircraft.

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"Only the President and the First Lady are allowed to use military air assets with a rider, if the Commander-in-Chief allows the Speaker of the National Assembly to be airlifted from Nairobi to Bungoma that is in order," Duale said about the issue that he said gave him "bad publicity".

Indeed, the subject has been controversial, especially after reports that Gachagua had, on several occasions, been denied access to military helicopters. As Defence CS, Duale banned the use of KDF aircraft among politicians.

His past featured heavily during the vetting, with the former lawmaker questioned about the recent deployment of KDF soldiers to help quell the recent protests.

"Unlike the police who use tear gas, canisters, batons, rubber bullets and water cannon, the military is known for live bullets, grenades, assault rifles, tankers and bombs. What was the intention of sending the military to the streets? Was it to shoot and kill demonstrators?" posed Kathiani MP Robert Mbui.

Duale argued that the deployment was necessary and claimed, without evidence, of plans to kill lawmakers.

"The office of the CJ and the Supreme Court as an institution was under threat and attack. If the KDF had not come to assist the other security agencies, God forbid, many Members of Parliament could have died, including our Speaker. Parliament could have been burnt. I will not be that irresponsible as a Minister of Defence," he responded.

Duale was also challenged about alleged corruption involving the recruitment of military personnel, which Teso South MP Mary Emase argued had gone up under the former CS's watch, despite assurances that he would end the vice.

She also accused Duale of ignoring calls from MPs with inquiries about the recruitments and faulted criteria adopted by the military, such as checks on testicles, teeth and height considerations.

"I refused to pick up your call and many other people's calls because of corruption. You want me to employ your people... I'm very sorry, Honourable Emase, if I did not pick up your call I was scared you would ask me to recruit something for you and that shows how much I abhor corruption," said Duale.

Like other recycled CSs, his wealth significantly shot up within the last two years, from Sh851 million to Sh980 million. Duale attributed the increase to the appreciation in the value of his assets.

He outlined his vision for the Environment Ministry, putting grabbers of forest land on notice, even as he promised to reform agencies under his watch, which he said had enabled systemic corruption.

"Corruption is more of a threat to our security and existence than the al-Shabaab," said the prospective CS.

Duale promised to act on pollution, by the public and industries, and improve waste management. He also said he would lead a "bottom-up" approach to planting 15 billion trees to ensure the 40 per cent tree cover target by 2032, with 15 per cent being fruit trees as an incentive to rural farmers.

He touted his "success" in the Defence docket as an indicator of his suitability, highlighting achievements like improved relationships with the United States and United Kingdom's militaries.

Duale pointed out that the Kenya-United States had, for instance, yielded donations of military aircraft and some $57 million for the expansion of the Manda Airstrip and the establishment of a centre for counter-terrorism in Laikipia.