‘I am not going to apologise’: Duale on ethnic remarks despite backlash
'I am not going to apologise': Duale on ethnic remarks despite backlash
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said he will not apologise over remarks he made in Lafey Constituency that sparked public criticism and prompted an investigation by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Speaking on Saturday, July 25, Duale insisted he stood by his comments and dismissed calls for him to retract or apologise for the remarks.
“Na msijali hio maneno mnaona kwa social media, I am not going to appologise, mimi ati nirudi nyuma? kwa sababu, mtu amesimama anaongea juu ya shares, hakuna hate speech mbaya kushinda mtu akisema, wewe huna shares kwa hii serikali huwezi kupata kazi,” Duale said.
His latest remarks come a day after he defended comments made during a public event in Lafey Constituency, saying they had been misrepresented.
In a statement issued on July 24, Duale said he had been widely misquoted and that his remarks had been taken out of context to advance what he described as false and misleading narratives.
He explained that the phrase, “Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib,” 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.
Duale said his message was intended to highlight the importance of inclusivity in government.
“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 further rejected claims that his remarks amounted to ethnic incitement.
“Attempts to portray my remarks as ethnic incitement are therefore dishonest and a deliberate distortion of what I said,” Duale said.
He also criticised what he described as selective condemnation of public statements, saying some leaders had remained silent when inflammatory remarks targeting the Somali community had previously been made.
Duale maintained that his commitment remained to “national unity, peaceful coexistence and equal opportunity for every Kenyan, without exception.”
The controversy has since drawn the attention of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, which on July 24 announced that it had opened investigations into the remarks following complaints from members of the public.
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In a statement, the Commission said its Investigations Department had begun a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the said utterances.
NCIC said it welcomed reports submitted by members of the public and urged Kenyans to continue reporting incidents involving divisive political rhetoric and ethnic profiling.
“We cannot afford to watch this country slide into anarchy, especially through utterances that divide communities,” the Commission said.
The Commission said any remarks found to contravene the law would be addressed in line with the Constitution and the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
NCIC also urged political leaders to exercise restraint as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election, saying leadership carries a responsibility to protect national unity rather than undermine it.
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