Lands CS Alice Wahome has publicly called on Health CS Aden Duale to withdraw his controversial remarks about the Kikuyu community and issue an immediate apology, distancing herself from her Cabinet colleague as criticism over the comments continue to mount.
In a statement shared on her social media platforms on Sunday, July 26, Wahome said the fact that other leaders may have made offensive remarks in the past did not justify Duale’s comments, urging him to take responsibility for his actions.
According to Wahome, Duale’s refusal to apologize was disappointing and risked further inflaming ethnic tensions at a time when national unity should be prioritized.
“Hon. Aden Duale, your recent remarks against the Kikuyu community have brought out the worst in you. You have been called to apologize, but you said no because, according to you, other people have made worse mistakes,” Wahome stated.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right, and only a fool does not change his mind. You should withdraw your remarks and apologize profusely,” she added.
Her remarks came a day after Duale insisted he would not apologize for the statements that have attracted widespread criticism from political leaders and prompted an investigation by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Speaking in Garissa on Sunday, Duale challenged the NCIC to also summon former DP Rigathi Gachagua over what he described as repeated tribal remarks, saying he would only appear before the commission if Gachagua was investigated alongside him.
“The day I will go to NCIC, I must go with Gachagua. I will come with my lawyers and he with his. If there is anyone with the number one Kenyan hate speech, it is Gachagua, and I am not sorry about it,” Duale said.
The Healgh CS accused the commission of applying double standards by pursuing government officials while allegedly overlooking similar or more serious statements made by opposition leaders.
Duale has faced growing pressure following remarks targeting the Kikuyu community, which the NCIC is investigating as alleged hate speech ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Several political leaders, particularly from the opposition, have since urged President Ruto to dismiss the Health CS if he declines to apologize or resign.
Duale has however, maintained that his remarks were taken out of context and has reiterated that he has no intention of apologizing.
