Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is facing fresh pressure to apologise over his controversial remarks that critics say targeted the Kikuyu community, with Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Alice Wahome becoming the latest senior government official to publicly rebuke him.
In a statement on her X account on Sunday, Wahome rejected Duale's refusal to apologise, saying his explanation that others had made worse remarks could not justify his own comments.
"Hon Aden Duale C S, your recent remarks against the Kikuyu Community have brought out the worst in you. You have been called to apologise but you said no because according to you other people have made worse mistakes," Wahome said. "Two wrongs don't make a right and only a fool who does not change his or her mind. You should withdraw your remarks and apologise profusely."
Her remarks came hours after Duale declared that he would only honour any summons by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) if former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was also summoned over alleged hate speech.
Speaking during a wedding ceremony in Garissa, Duale accused the commission of applying double standards by targeting government officials while allegedly overlooking opposition leaders.
"I want to tell the NCIC that the day you are going to summon Rigathi Gachagua is the day you are going to summon Aden Duale," he said. "When the NCIC summons me, I must also be accompanied by Rigathi Gachagua... one thing I will not do is go to the NCIC offices before Gachagua does."
The Health CS maintained that he had been misunderstood, saying remarks he made in Lafey Constituency had been taken out of context.
"I have been widely misquoted, and my remarks delivered in Lafey Constituency have been taken out of context to advance false and misleading narratives," he said.
Duale explained that the phrase at the centre of the controversy, "Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib," was a common Somali proverb.
"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, adding that his message was about inclusivity and equal opportunities for all Kenyans.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has since confirmed it has opened investigations into the remarks following complaints that they amounted to ethnic incitement.
Wahome's intervention adds to growing criticism from leaders across the political divide. On Saturday, People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua described Duale's remarks as reckless and accused him of fuelling ethnic divisions, while also urging young people not to allow themselves to be used to foment political violence.
The controversy has intensified debate over political rhetoric and the enforcement of hate speech laws as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election, with opposition leaders continuing to demand accountability while Duale insists the law should be applied equally to all political actors.