Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dug in over remarks that have sparked a political storm, declaring he will neither apologise nor withdraw them despite growing criticism and an ongoing investigation by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Addressing a fundraising rally in Marsabit on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Duale dismissed calls for him to retract his remarks, saying he would not bow to pressure because of criticism circulating on social media.
"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.
He maintained that his remarks did not amount to hate speech, arguing that discussions around access to government opportunities should not be twisted into claims of ethnic incitement.
His latest comments came a day after he issued a statement defending remarks made during a public gathering in Lafey Constituency, saying they had been taken out of context.
In the statement released on July 24, Duale said he had been widely misquoted and accused some of deliberately pushing false and misleading narratives.
He explained that the phrase, "Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib," is a common Somali proverb that should not be interpreted as 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 the Health CS, the intention of his speech was to emphasise inclusivity and equal access to opportunities 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.
Duale also dismissed claims that he had engaged in ethnic incitement.
"Attempts to portray my remarks as ethnic incitement are therefore dishonest and a deliberate distortion of what I said," Duale said.
He further criticised what he called selective outrage, arguing that similar remarks directed at the Somali community had previously gone unchallenged.
Duale said he remains committed to national unity, peaceful coexistence and equal opportunity for every Kenyan.
Even as he stood by his remarks, political reactions continued to emerge, with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urging residents of the Mt Kenya region not to direct their anger towards the Somali community.
Speaking during a roadside rally in Embu County on Saturday, Gachagua said the Somali community should not be blamed for the controversy.
“They have not wronged us. I urge the people of Mt Kenya not to vilify the Somali community, because they have done nothing wrong. It is Duale who has wronged us,” Gachagua said.
He said the close relationship between the Mt Kenya region and the Somali community, especially in trade and business, should not be affected by the remarks of one leader.
The controversy has also attracted the attention of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, which announced on July 24 that it had opened investigations following complaints from members of the public.
The commission said its Investigations Department had begun a thorough and impartial inquiry into the remarks.
“NCIC acknowledges receipt of a complaint regarding alleged utterances by CS Duale. Our Investigations Department is conducting a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the said utterances,” the commission said.
NCIC encouraged members of the public to continue reporting incidents involving divisive political statements and ethnic profiling.
"We cannot afford to watch this country slide into anarchy, especially through utterances that divide communities," the Commission said.
The commission added that any remarks found to violate the Constitution or the National Cohesion and Integration Act would be handled in accordance with the law.
It also appealed to political leaders to exercise restraint as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election, saying leaders have a duty to unite Kenyans rather than divide them.
The controversy followed remarks Duale made after the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where Democracy for the Citizens Party candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru defeated the United Democratic Alliance candidate.
Responding to the outcome, Duale dismissed opposition celebrations, arguing that the constituency had not previously been under UDA since the late MP had been elected on a Jubilee Party ticket.