Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is set to be summoned by a Senate Committe after a former Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officer appeared before the committee ridden on a hospital stretcher on March 5, 2024.
The Ex-KDF Officer identified as Isaiah Ochanda was appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations.
In a surprising turn of events, the officer was brought on a hospital stretcher over non-fulfilment of court orders by the Ministry of Defense and non-payment of disability pension.
The Senate committee in a statement on March 5, 2024, noted that the ex-soldier’s state of appearance before the committee drew deep emotions among the Lawmakers and staff.
He went on to plead with Senators to intervene and push for his rightful dues as pronounced by the court.
According to Ochanda’s narration, he had sustained spinal cord injuries while in the cause of duty back in 1987.
The injuries left him paraplegic leading to his discharge from duty in 1995 on medical grounds.
EX-KDF officer on failed compensation
He revealed to the Lawmakers that despite completing all the necessary clearance documents, he is yet to be paid his lawful dues attributing the failure to the office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Defense.
Ochanda through a Petitioner had earlier on filed a case at the High Court of Kenya where a judgment was made on 2nd March 2011 through a ruling awarding him Ksh22.9 million.
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“The Ministry of Defense and the Office of the Attorney-General (AG), did not obey the court order despite me making several follow-ups and appeals through various offices, including the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR),” he told the committee.
The Petitioner further went for judicial review and the ruling was delivered on 14th July 2023, compelling both the Ministry of Defense and the Office of the Attorney-General to satisfy the decree in High Court Case to the Petitioner.
However, the soldier revealed that the two factions did not take action according to the petitioner.
Plea to Senate
Ochanda who was accompanied by his wife and son made a passionate plea to the committee to come and help him emphasizing that his only hope is now in the Senate.
He said following the accident, he has remained bedridden with no contribution in the upbringing of his family due to his inability to do anything.
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He further wondered why the Cabinet Secretary for Defence has not been arrested despite the court issuing a warrant of arrest for failure to fulfil the court orders.
The Senate Committee under the leadership of the session Chair Senator for Kajiado County Seki Lenku resolved to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Duale to deliberate on the petition.
The Senators sympathized with the petitioner`s state and assured him that the Security committee will handle his petition keenly with the intention of ensuring that justice is delivered to him.
