'I was misquoted!' Duale defends anti-Kikuyu remarks as NCIC opens probe

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has defended the latest controverisial remarks he made in Mandera County, insisting they were taken out of context, even as the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) launched investigations into allegations that he made ethnically inciteful comments targeting the Kikuyu community.

The Commission on Friday confirmed that it had opened a probe following complaints over remarks attributed to the Health Cabinet Secretary that have been circulating widely on social media.

In a statement, NCIC said its Investigations Department was conducting "a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the said utterances."

The Commission said it welcomed members of the public who had reported the matter and urged Kenyans to continue reporting cases of divisive political rhetoric and ethnic profiling.

"We cannot afford to watch this country slide into anarchy, especially through utterances that divide communities," NCIC said, adding that if substantiated, the remarks could contravene Article 33 of the Constitution and Sections 13 and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

The controversy stems from a video recorded during a public event in Lafey Constituency, Mandera County, last Tuesday.

In the footage, Duale, speaking in Somali, praises the Kenya Kwanza administration for restoring what he describes as the dignity of the Somali community through the issuance of national identity cards and the rollout of development projects across the North Eastern region. He then makes remarks appearing to target the Kikuyu community, claiming they believed "no one else should live in Kenya" before likening them to hyenas. He also criticised the administrations of former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing them of neglecting the North Eastern region and denying many residents national identity cards.

The remarks triggered a political storm, drawing condemnation from leaders across the political divide.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru described the comments as "deeply regrettable," saying it was "dangerous to reduce the government's political challenges to tribal prejudice" and called on the Cabinet Secretary to issue an unconditional apology to Kenyans.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga also criticised Duale, accusing him of disparaging the Kikuyu community and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The matter also spilled over to the Senate on Thursday, where senators temporarily suspended the day's business to condemn the remarks, with several lawmakers demanding an apology and urging leaders to avoid rhetoric that could inflame ethnic tensions.

However, Duale has dismissed the accusations, saying his words have been deliberately misrepresented.

"I have been widely misquoted and my remarks delivered in Lafey Constituency have been taken out of context to advance false and misleading narratives," the Cabinet Secretary said in a statement posted on his X account.

Duale explained that the phrase "Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib," - translated as a reference to a hyena - was a well-known Somali proverb and not an attack on any community.

"It is a figurative expression about the difficulty of ending entrenched habits or long-enjoyed advantages. It was never directed at any community or intended to demean anyone," he said.

According to Duale, his remarks were intended to underscore the government's commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.

"My message was about the importance of embracing inclusivity as the Government continues to ensure that all Kenyans, regardless of their region or ethnicity, have an opportunity to serve the nation," he said.

He termed allegations of ethnic incitement "dishonest and a deliberate distortion" of his remarks, while maintaining that his commitment remains to national unity, peaceful coexistence and equal opportunity for all Kenyans.