I don't think KDF feared me, maybe my style - Duale on leadership qualities

Aden Duale, the current nominee for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary, has rejected allegations that he was feared during his tenure in the Defence docket.

Duale, who was speaking during his vetting in Parliament on Friday, added that perhaps his style of leadership was the one that caused jitters. 

"I don't think the rank and leadership of Defence feared me. Maybe it was my style of leadership," he said before the National Assembly Committee on Appointment.

The nominee noted that If approved by the House, he would take the same leadership style to the Environment ministry.

"Maybe it was my style of leadership, and I will take the same style to the environment. I had the same style in Parliament," Duale affirmed.

Back at the National Assembly, Duale served as the leader of the majority from 2013 to June 22, 2020. 

However, Speaker Moses Wetangula interrupted and stated, "We have no evidence that they (the Kenya Defence Forces) feared you."

Duale was responding to Saboti MP Caleb Amisi's inquiry about rumours suggesting that his leadership style instilled fear at the Defence headquarters.

Cabinet Secretary Nominee of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Aden Barre Duale when he appeared before the Committee on Appointments on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

"In the public domain, (it is said that) the military has feared you. You have become more military than the military itself. Why does the military fear you?" posed Amisi.

At the same time, the nominee said he would be ready to serve in any docket to which President William Ruto would appoint him.

Duale was responding to Likoni MP Mishi Mboko's question on why President Ruto transferred him to the Environment docket after having earlier reassigned him to Defence 

However, the nominee highlighted that the Head of State was at liberty to assign and reassign anyone at any given time.

"Even once this committee approves me and before I'm sworn in, and the president feels he wants to assign me, that is his right. That is the power of the President," Duale defended himself from questions about his leadership style and competence. 

"After all of us are approved, in one week he can reshuffle and he can take me back to Defence or Foreign Affairs, and I'm ready to serve in any capacity the President finds me suitable," he added.

On July 23, 2024, Ruto nominated Soipan Tuya as the Defence CS, while Duale was moved to the Ministry of Environment.

This was according to a communication sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula, by President William Ruto.