NAIROBI—The news of Garissa Township legislator surviving the Jubilee purge was received with mixed reaction in northern Kenya.
In the changes announced by Uhuru at State House Nairobi, National Assembly Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali and his deputy nominated MP Cecily Mbarire were kicked out.
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe replaces Washiali while Igembe North MP Maoka Maore replaces Mbarire.
The PG which was chaired by Uhuru at State House also resolved to effect further changes at the House committees as part of the ongoing purge to kick out all MPs not supporting the President’s agenda.
According to comments sampled by Kulan Post across Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook, we have noted that—although Majority Leader Aden Duale is a figure seen as controversial by section of the users due to his previous political stand—majority of the users were in support of his retention.
Save for proponents of Eldas Adan Keynan, who section of local newspapers suggested as possible replacement and supporters of Garissa Governor Ali Korane, most of the different social media users were fully behind the Garissa Township MP.
“Aden Duale is here to stay. Meanwhile Raila Odinga will never become the president of Kenya take that to the bank,” tweeted user Mandera Top Blogger.
Aden Duale is here to stay. Meanwhile Raila Odinga will never become the president of Kenya take that to the bank. pic.twitter.com/bGccTtB2cP
— Mandera Top Blogger™ ?? (@ManderaBlogger) June 2, 2020
Another user, Ahmed Khadar stated that: “If you’re from NEP and you’re wishing for @HonAdenDuale’s ouster as Leader of Majority just coz (sic) of clan matrix and other petty personal differences, SHAME ON YOU!”
If you’re from NEP and you’re wishing for @HonAdenDuale’s ouster as Leader of Majority just coz of clan matrix and other petty personal differences, SHAME ON YOU! Duale is the FACE of the pastoralist nation. You people, FOCUS on the big picture@Ibrahimjohnny@ABiriq@SomPundit
Duale is the FACE of the pastoralist nation. You people, FOCUS on the big picture.”
Senior Council and political commentator, Ahmednassir expressed his support for the Majority Leaders, maintaining that: “On behalf of ALL Senior Counsel from North Eastern province we declare that we have full confidence in @HonAdenDuale.”
On the two WhatsApp groups in Wajir and Garissa such as the “Wajir Professionals Fourm” and “TL Forum” Duale’s retention was met with mixed feelings. In Wajir, Duale’s previous track record was dissected with many arguing that the legislator was not “at par with leaders who wanted to replace him.”
Facebook went lit upon the confirmation of Duale’s retention. Siyad Jimcale, a top blogger with massive support in the region was the first to express his reaction.
In Garissa, jovial locals thronged the streets out to show their relief after weeks of bated breath on whether their area MP would lose his influential post at the National Assembly which he held since 2013.
On Thursday, section of Norther Eastern legislators led by Yussuf Haji held a press conference in Nairobi to express gratitude at the confirmation of Duale’s post amid the purge targeting Deputy President William Ruto supporters in the Parliament.
“We have always supported you and today we want to affirm our loyalty to you our leader (President Uhuru) and to thank you for confirming your confidence on Duale to lead the Government Business in the House,” Haji said.
There had been emphatic optimism that Duale, the Garissa Town MP, would keep his position by virtue of his sustained effort in pushing the government’s agenda in the House.
