Aden Duale Announces Retirement From Active Politics: "My Word Is My Bond"

• Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stated that his promise to leave politics stands and has been accomplished
• He praised President William Ruto for making his transition smooth by removing him from the parliament to the Ministry of Defence
• Duale said he would be willing to serve in parliament in other roles, including in the public accounts committee, or become a ranking member

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has honoured his 2019 pledge to exit the political arena in the event President William Ruto was elected and took the oath of office.

What role has President William Ruto played in Duale's exit?

Duale affirmed that he would not backtrack on his public remarks, stating that Ruto made his work easier by taking him from the parliament to the Ministry of Defence.

“I once said I would quit politics when William Ruto became president. He has made my life easy. When he became president, he removed me from parliament and made me the Minister for Defence. I am a good Muslim, so I am not going back to politics. I have retired.

"My word is my bond. I promised Kenyans that once H.E. President William Ruto takes the mantle of leadership, I will retire from active politics. I have. He has become president, and I cannot put reverse gear on,” Duale stated.

Speaking to KBC Channel 1, Duale said that parliament can transform the country into a better place.

He said that he informed Ruto that even if he was not elected, he would continue serving Kenyans in various capacities.

"Even before the election, I told him if you don't become president and we lose the election, I will join parliament and maybe become chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee or become a ranking member and speak for the people of Kenya."

The former National Assembly majority leader has been in the political space since 2007, when he was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Garissa Town on an Orange Democratic Party (ODM) ticket.

Why did Duale promise to leave politics?

In 2019, the outspoken politician declared his willingness to advise the deputy president upon assuming the top position.

“Huyo hustler akiingia mimi ata nikiwa mtu wa kunywa chai hapo ikulu kama mzee wa mtaa ni sawa (If the hustler (Ruto) becomes president, I will not mind drinking evening tea with him as an advisor),” he said.

He contended that he had left a valuable legacy for his constituents, asserting that dying as a politician would be the ultimate tragedy.

"I do not want to die a politician; it is the worst death. In politics, it is good to leave when people still love you. I have left a legacy in my constituency," he added.