Double blow for fired CSs who resigned from elective positions only to be kicked from Cabinet

President William Ruto dismissed his Cabinet Secretaries including Adan Duale, Kipchumba Murkomen, and Alice Wahome who resigned from their elective positions to join the cabinet. The three were closely associated with Ruto when he was the Deputy President.

Adan Bare Duale, elected as Garissa Township Member of Parliament in the 2022 general election under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party, got 9,905 votes, defeating Abdinasir Dolal, who garnered 5,509 votes. After his victory, Duale emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation among leaders.

And on September 27, President Ruto nominated him as the Cabinet Secretary for Defense. Duale resigned from his parliamentary position on October 26 after getting the nod from the parliament.

Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

While delivering his final speech in Parliament, Duale urged the MPs to maintain their connection with their constituents. "At the end of the day, you must have dignity and honour to face your people and seek re-election," he said.

After his dismissal, the former Defense Cabinet Secretary expressed that it was an honour to serve in that position and thanked President Ruto for entrusting him with the role.

In a post on his X account, Duale stated that he would be forever indebted to the President and the people of Kenya. "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President William Ruto for entrusting me with the role of Cabinet Secretary for Defence in the first Kenya Kwanza Administration," he said.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President @WilliamsRuto for entrusting me with the role of Cabinet Secretary for Defence in the first Kenya Kwanza Administration.

I am deeply honored and will forever be indebted to him and the people of Kenya for this…

— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) July 11, 2024

Dekow Mohamed Barrow succeeded Duale in the subsequent by-election. He got 11,572 votes against UDM's Nasir Dolal, who received 8,158 votes.

Kipchumba Murkomen, running on the UDA party ticket, won the Elgeyo Marakwet senatorial seat with 141,091 votes, defeating Alex Tolgos.

Murkomen described this victory as his best performance in his electoral career. “In the many elections I have participated in, both at nomination and election levels, this is my best performance ever,” he said after he was declared the winner.

Former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. (Photo: X/Kipchumba Murkomen)

On October 26, Murkomen resigned as a senator following his approval by the Parliament as the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Infrastructure.

He expressed mixed emotions about leaving the Senate, which had been his home for over a decade.

"Following that approval, my departure from this August House is now imminent. I am standing here with mixed feelings because the Senate has been my home for over 10 years," he said.

William Kisang succeeded Murkomen as Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, winning the by-election with 41,378 votes, while Tim Kipchumba of the PPD party emerged second with 38,151 votes.

Former Lands CS Alice Wahome.

Alice Wahome was elected Kandara MP with 22,929 votes on the UDA party ticket, defeating Chege wa Njuguna of Chama Cha Kazi, who received 12,313 votes in the August 2022 polls.

On October 26, Wahome resigned from her parliamentary position after being approved as Cabinet Secretary for Lands. In her resignation speech, Wahome acknowledged the support of her colleagues in Parliament and expressed her desire to continue working with them in her new role.

“Members of Parliament must continue to be supported and facilitated to be able to execute their mandate. I therefore want to acknowledge my colleagues, both in minority and majority, and that this time I have stayed in Parliament, I have enjoyed cordial relationships with most of the members. I look forward to being able to work with them," she said as she resigned.

Chege Njuguna succeeded Wahome as Kandara MP, winning the by-election with 21,650 votes against Ford Asili's Titus Njau Mbuchu, who received 14,678 votes.