Exit Speech by Hon. Aden Duale as Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly
From @HonAdenDuale
1. Hon. Speaker, following your communication, a few minutes ago, let me make my exit speech as I handover the instruments of the Office of the Leader of the Majority Party to the new office holder. Indeed, just like the famous swahili saying that “kilicho kuwa na mwanzo hakikosi kuwa na mwisho” today marks the end of my service as the First Leader of Majority Party of this House under Article 108 of the Constitution.
2. Hon. Speaker, to this end, I wish to thank the President of the Republic of Kenya and my party leader H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, the Deputy President H.E William Ruto, and the entire Jubilee Party including the Members of Parliament for having given me the opportunity to serve the people of Kenya as a Leader of Majority Party for the past seven years now.
3. Hon. Speaker,I also take this opportunity to again thank my colleagues from the Minority Party, those from the 11th Parliament led by the late Hon. Nyenze, Hon. Jakayo Midiwo and the current leadership led by my very good friend, a man we joined Parliament together in the 10th Parliament Hon. Mbadi, and also Hon Mbui. I also congratulate my very able successor Hon. Amos Kimunya as he takes over the Office of the Leader of Majority Party in this August House. Hon. Speaker, I know he has a wealth of experience having served as Minister of Finance and held various leadership positions in Parliament and for this, I have no doubt in my mind, that he has what it takes! Hon. Kimunya, I wish you all the best in your new appointment and again congratulations. 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 well.
4. Hon. Speaker, my experience as the Majority Leader taught me that as one pushes the agenda of the Majority Party, it is almost inevitable that one will make new friends and new enemies and opponents, particularly within the Party, depending on where their interests are. Interestingly, interests also keep evolving and hence ones opponents today might be his of her friends tomorrow and vice-versa. The most important thing is, while attempting to work with everyone, keep your eye on the ball and deliver the price.
5. Hon. Speaker, on that note 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 such is the nature of the job as the Hon. Kimunya will come to appreciate.
6. Hon. Speaker, during the seven years of service, I came to appreciate the professionalism of the technical Staff of Parliament. Your office Mr. Speaker and the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, previously held by the late Justin Bundi and now Mr. Michael Sialai, made my work lesser difficult. For this, I will forever be truly be grateful and indebted to these Offices and the very hardworking men and women who contributed to making the work get done, effectively, efficiently, and with speed! Asanteni sana.
7. Hon. Speaker, as I exit, I am indeed proud to note that 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.
8. Hon. Speaker, lastly but not least, I wish to appreciate my able staff that was drawn from all over this nation. I had impeccable members of staff from Nyeri, Laikipia, Kisii, Nyanza, Garissa, among many other counties. I wish them all the best and I will forever remain indebted for the support they accorded to me for the last seven years.
9. Hon. Speaker, as I conclude, allow me to also inform my brother Hon. Kimunya that during the transition period, he is also free to consult me on anything. I indeed, look forward to being of assistance to him as he settles into his new position. It is not my wish to let him grapple in darkness.
10.Hon. Speaker, I thank all the Members of Parliament, those in the 11th Parliament and those in the 12th Parliament for the invaluable support they gave me during my tenure. I will always be appreciative of the support they gave me.
11.Hon. Speaker, I want to thank the various Directorates in Parliament, the Director of Legal, Director of Budget and her staff, Director of Legislative and Procedure, and the Director General all this together I thank them for the support they gave to my office.
12. Let me say this prayer found in Islam-
“There is no storm that God won’t carry you through you through. No bridge that God won’t help you cross. No battle that God won’t help you win. Trust God and never give up. Amen!”
13.Hon. Speaker, finally and before I retreat to the backbench to serve the great people of Garissa Constituency who have elected me three times, in three different political parties. ODM brought me to this House, and I want to thank that Party, as it inducted me into politics. In 2013 they elected me under the United Republican Party and in 2017 they elected me under the Jubilee Party. That alone shows that the people of Garissa Township elect the person not the Party and they elected the person just for service delivery. Hon. Speaker, as a back bencher, when I put my card I hope you will give me a fair opportunity as a ranking Member to ask questions, file statements, to file petitions, to join those who are singing during the VAT of 2018, and to join any others who will be agitated. When that time comes you can count on me. As a leader of majority and that of Minority Party there are a number of things you can’t do. The remaining two year will help me get so many friends at the back bench, on behalf of the people of Kenya, if you see me with a question, interrogation the Executive, just known that I am up to the task to exercise oversight, representation and legislative powers given to me by the Constitution on behalf of the people of Garissa Township. I want to tell the people of Garissa Township I will remain the First Leader of Majority Party and the longest serving (7 Years). Hon. Kimunya today you will find an office that has the capacity and linkage with all arms of Government.
14. Hon. Speaker, I thank the Office of the Attorney General, State law Office, former Attorney General and current Attorney General, Cabinet ministers both in executive and judiciary
15.Hon. Speaker, as I retreat to backbench, allow me to handover this file to the incoming Leader of Majority Party as his starter pack. In it includes among other things a brief detailing the pending business in this House and the Majority Party business that originated in this House but is now pending in the Senate. The pending business in the Pack includes Bills by the Majority Party, Committees and Private Members, Motions, Sessional Papers and Treaties among other things. I hope that this symbolic handover becomes part of the practice of the House. I now handover this file and ask him to come and take the seat that I have warmed for the last seven years.
16.Hon. Speaker, with these few remarks, I say thank you.
God bless you. God bless Kenya
