Former Defence CS has cleared the air on issue where DP Rigathi Gachagua was denied access to military chopper, an occurrence that further fueled claims that he was not in good terms with his boss president William Ruto.
While facing the National Assembly’s Appointments Committee, for vetting Environment CS, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi asked him to clarify on the issue of whether public servants can use the military choppers.
“Public officers use military choppers to move around. Clarify whether DP is allowed to use these choppers or is it abuse of power?”Amisi posed.
Responding to the question, Duale said that it is the president and first lady who can only use the military assets and that other public servants can use them only if the president orders.
“The President and First Lady are the people who are allowed to use military air assets. If the Commander-in-Chief allows the Speaker of the National Assembly to be airlifted from Nairobi to Bungoma that is in order,” the CS nominee said.
He also denied claims that the military fears him.
“Maybe it is my style which I will take to forest,” Duale said.
Aden Duale: The President and First Lady are the people who are allowed to use military air assets. If the Commander-in-Chief allows the Speaker of the National Assembly to be airlifted from Nairobi to Bungoma that is in order pic.twitter.com/27VmwbuNat
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) August 2, 2024
At the same time, he defended the decision to deploy military to the streets during anti-government protests.
“If KDF did not come to assist other 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 with a provision of the constitution, I use the law, ” he said.
