Bishop Dr Kepha Nyamweya Omae/FILE
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has launched investigations into alleged ethnic incitement by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale following complaints over remarks he made during a public event in Lafey Constituency.
In a statement on Friday, the Commission said its Investigations Department had commenced an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the remarks, which have widely circulated on social media.
"The National Cohesion and Integration Commission acknowledges receipt of a complaint regarding alleged utterances by Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale. Our Investigations Department is conducting a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the said utterances," NCIC said.
The Commission said it welcomed members of the public who had reported the matter 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.
NCIC reiterated that Kenya belongs to all communities and condemned what it described as irresponsible remarks that, if substantiated, would contravene Article 33 of the Constitution and Sections 13 and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
It urged political leaders to exercise restraint as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
"Leadership at every level carries a solemn duty to safeguard, rather than imperil, the unity of this nation," said NCIC chairman Bishop Dr Kepha Nyamweya Omae.
The Commission further said it would continue acting "firmly, decisively and impartially" against conduct that threatens national cohesion and called on leaders and citizens alike to defend the country's unity.
Duale, however, dismissed the allegations, saying his remarks had been taken out of context and 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," he said.
The Cabinet Secretary explained that the phrase at the centre of the controversy—"Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib"—is a well-known Somali proverb that has long been part of the community's oral tradition.
"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," Duale said.
According to the CS, his speech focused on inclusivity and the government's commitment to ensuring that all Kenyans, regardless of their ethnicity or region, have an equal opportunity to serve the country.
"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 accused critics of distorting his remarks for political purposes and criticised what he termed selective condemnation of leaders' statements.
"Attempts to portray my remarks as ethnic incitement are therefore dishonest and a deliberate distortion of what I said," he said.
He added that some of those now criticising him had remained silent when, he claimed, inflammatory remarks targeting the Somali community had previously been made.
"Kenya's strength lies in its diversity. My commitment remains to national unity, peaceful coexistence and equal opportunity for every Kenyan, without exception," Duale said.
The NCIC did not indicate when the investigations would be concluded but said it would handle the matter impartially in line with its constitutional mandate to promote national cohesion and integration.
