MP Duale Comes to Ruto's Defence, Explains Why He is Still In Office

Garissa Township MP Aden Duale has responded to a newspaper headline that posed; "Why is he (Ruto) still in office?"

The newspaper had poked holes in Deputy President William Ruto's new character of disparaging the state at a time when he is occupying the second most powerful seat in the country.

The paper appeared to suggest that instead of the DP attacking the government he serves, he should rather quit and focus on being an opposition leader.

But allies of the DP led by Duale have dismissed the questioning and insisted that the DP is in office as his constitutional right.

Duale stated that the constitution is very clear on the term of the DP and that no one can purport to remove him from office unconstitutionally.

"Article 148(6)(a) of the Constitution provides that the term of office of the Deputy President shall run from the date of swearing of the Deputy President and shall end when the person next elected President under Article 136(2)(a) is sworn in.

"In this regard, on the question of why is he still in office? Do not look further, it is because the Constitution SAYS SO!" Duale tweeted.

According to Duale, the newspaper headline was unnecessary considering that the constitution is very clear.

He, however, failed to enumerate how the second in command has opted to criticise the very government that pays him to solve most of the challenges facing Kenyans.

"Quite unfortunate that such a question and debate can even arise when the Constitution is still speaking and a look at it would give anyone who cares not to elicit unwarranted debate straight and clear answers," Duale said.

The newspaper headline has elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans with some approving while others criticising.