President William Ruto while paying tribute to the Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Duale, stated that he is a loyal friend.
The head of state further lauded CS Duale saying he is one of his close friends who he can always count on.
“I’m truly proud to be your friend. You have taught me loyalty. You have learned from me, and we have all grown together as friends,” he said.
President Ruto made these remarks on Thursday, May 11 at Serena Hotel during the event where CS Duale unveiled his highly publicized book dubbed ‘For The Record’.
Moreover, the head of state urged younger politicians to learn from him and the defense CS that loyalty pays.
“Loyalty has paid for me and it has paid for Duale. It is good to be genuine with friendship, loyal to friends and it’s good to speak your mind when things go wrong,” Ruto emphasized.
In addition, the president noted that despite CS Duale being problematic, he is a team player and they have always built a team.
While emphasizing about his loyalty and friendship with the Defence CS, the president opined that it is something other politicians should learn and emulate.
“We are available to mentor our younger politicians. We all want to retire in a country where we have better leaders. That is the heritage we can give these young ones,” he stated.
Likewise, the head of state noted that CS Duale’s wife demonstrated hospitality when he visited their home.
“I have been to Aden Duale’s house countless times and all the time we are served tea and food. To the wife, thank you for standing by Duale,” he said.
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Nonetheless, the president described Duale’s book as one which speaks on truth, deceit, as well as success.
President Ruto observed that in his book, CS Duale presented two decades’ worth of political action, conversation, and events.
“This book tells us of the political history in great detail, flavored with the unreserved fragrance of Duale. It’s a big challenge Duale has given us to document our journey,” he said.
According to Ruto, the launch of the book was made possible by hard work and a desire to make a difference for people and also for the country.
“This is not just a book of politicians, it is about a man and his public life as a civil servant, a story that is forged in the heart of Garissa town,” Ruto added.
Furthermore, Duale is one of president Ruto’s close allies with their relationship dating back to before 2013 when Jubilee party took over.
The CS and the president who were then ODM rebels left the Raila Odinga-led party and formed the United Republican Party, which entered into a coalition agreement with The National Alliance to form Jubilee.