I have no ill-feelings after my removal as Majority Leader

Ousted Majority Leader Aden Duale says he exits from office his head held high and he has no ill feelings or grudge towards anyone for his removal.

Duale spoke as he made remarks after the Speaker communicated the Jubilee party’s decision to replace him with Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya as Majority leader.

“During my helm as the Leader of Majority Party, I was able to push through the agenda of the Majority Party effectively. The results are out there and they speak for themselves and hence I will not belabor to lay out the same. I was not removed for inefficiency, or lack of delivery, but it is simply the cycle of the career of politics. I therefore habour no ill feelings or grudge.” He said.

Duale at the same time thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta the Jubilee Party leader, the Deputy President Dr William Ruto, and the Jubilee Party for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of Kenya as a Leader of Majority Party for the past seven years.

He also congratulated his successor Kimunya saying he has a wealth of experience having served as Minister of Finance and held various leadership positions in Parliament and that he has no doubt that he has what it takes.

“Hon. Speaker, I have read comments and views that my shoes are too big to fit. This is not however for me to judge. All I know is that we all wear different shoes, walk differently and feel different in them. As you take up the new mantle my distinguished Colleague, Hon. Kimunya, wear your shoes, walk according to your style and your feel. All that counts is that you serve the people of this great nation.” Duale said.

He said as one pushes the agenda of the Majority Party, it is inevitable that he/she will make new friends and new enemies and opponents, particularly within the Party, depending on where their interests lie.

He therefore asked for forgiveness to those he may have wronged saying, “allow me to unconditionally ask for forgiveness and apologies to anyone, in this House and outside, who I may have offended in the course of executing my duties–I was simply doing my job.”

And when Kimunya rose to make his acceptance speech, he started with thanking the President and the Jubilee party MPs for endorsing him for the seat.

He then thanked Duale for the work he has done saying, “I have been learning from him without necessarily thinking that I would one day take over from him.”

Kimunya was alive to the fact that it’s a tough job, one he said that takes away a person from his family, his constituents a job that needs one to strike a balance to manage.

“I know and understand that such duties come with a lot of commitment and sacrifice, that Hon. Duale did his best to deliver, and I have learned a lot from him.” He said.

Kimunya also encouraged Duale to look at the changes positively, saying they are a part of a political journey, and at times it’s a chance to reflect and understand that it all happens for the greater good.