KDF Generals' Alleged Plan if Duale Had Stayed as Defence CS

President William Ruto faced significant opposition from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) leadership over his decision to reappoint Aden Duale as Defence Cabinet Secretary.

The tension led to a dramatic turn of events, resulting in Duale being replaced by Soipan Tuya in a surprise cabinet reshuffle.

Sources suggest that the top KDF generals were not pleased with Duale’s reappointment. They had reportedly planned to take legal action to challenge Duale's appointment if the National Assembly had approved it.

The generals’ dissatisfaction was so intense that they prepared to petition the court for his removal from the sensitive defence role.

In a move that seemed to address these concerns, President Ruto decided to remove Duale from the Ministry of Defence. Instead of dropping him from the cabinet entirely, Ruto reassigned Duale to the Ministry of Environment. This change aimed to appease the KDF leadership while still retaining Duale within the government.

The day Duale was officially removed from his position, reports indicate that celebrations broke out at the Ministry of Defence and various military barracks across the country. 

This reaction underscored the extent of the KDF’s discontent with Duale's leadership. The generals' dissatisfaction was not just a matter of internal politics but also reflected broader concerns about how defence matters were being managed.

Duale, a key ally of President Ruto, had previously served as Defence CS with a focus on overseeing the country’s security and military operations. 

His reappointment to this crucial role was met with opposition from within the military ranks, highlighting the strained relationship between the political and military leadership.

The President’s decision to appoint Soipan Tuya as the new Defence CS marks a significant shift. Tuya, who previously held the Environment docket, now has the responsibility of managing the country’s defence affairs. Her appointment signals a strategic change in how the defence ministry will be handled going forward.

Soipan Tuya’s rise to this prominent position is seen as a move to ensure smoother relations between the government and the military. Her new role involves overseeing national security, military operations, and defence policy. 

Tuya’s appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Defence Ministry and address some of the concerns that led to Duale’s removal.

The move addresses the concerns of the KDF leadership and reflects President Ruto’s efforts to navigate political and military relationships effectively.

With Tuya now at the helm of the Defence Ministry, the country will be watching closely to see how the new leadership impacts national security and military operations.