Critics clueless about Duale’s political stunt and war on terror

A keen observer would have easily picked multiple cues by Hon. Duale in the past few weeks, leading up to the security operations mounted to disrupt terrorist cells, sympathizers, and criminals from their safe havens in Nairobi Eastleigh and Mombasa.

Accompanying Somali elders and political leaders at State House recently, Duale’s voice admonishing errant religious leaders who are accused for youth radicalization was loud and unmistakable.

He in particular singled out the late Sheikh Makaburi, and justly condemned him for his insensitive utterances to incite youth to violence. Ironically though, Aden Duale would just in a matter of days, face the wrath of Kenyans on social media for offering message of condolence to the family of slain preacher on twitter.

Hon. Duale is not a test tube for a record.  The man is a self-made intuitive politician, who rose to stardom for his resolve and loyalty, teaming up with Deputy President William Ruto in URP. They worked tirelessly, and visited every corner of Kenya marketing URP until they achieved power in a coalition arrangement with TNA.

Although Duale is the leader of Majority in the house, he would be nowhere without his electorate, the Muslim Somali community of Garissa. That implies, when addressing the issue of terrorism, he must thread carefully, walking a tight rope balancing the interest of his electorate and the ruling coalition. He needs Garissa to remain relevant. For Duale, it is easier to castigate the government in Public from a podium in Easleigh, even though he does not really mean it, than to be seen betraying his electorate, and risk being jettisoned from his abode.  

Wannabes, those who admire to be a Duale are not in shortage within Jubilee coalition. But it is important for them to understand the context in which political and security issues are evolving at odds.

Open confrontation of political leaders at this time is misplaced and futile because it will negate the government’s efforts to check runaway insecurity.

Definitely, there are those who see opportunity, for extension of their contracts when the war on terror assumes political dimension as political flares are bound to divert attention away from ineptitude and inability of authorities to deliver on their mandates.

Duale is not indispensable, but then, calls for his censure are misplaced and premature.

Mohamed Wato, Major (Rtd), can be reached at email: watokames@yahoo.com