Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has launched a blistering attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of ethnic condescension and divisive rhetoric following controversial remarks made by Gachagua during a recent visit to Ukambani.
Speaking in Kangundo on Monday, June 16, during a meeting with grassroots leaders, Mutua criticised Gachagua’s repeated reference to the Kamba community as “cousins” of Mt. Kenya residents, branding the comments disrespectful and culturally dismissive.
“I don’t want to tell you that we don’t know who our cousins are. We know who our cousins are. And you are not our cousins,” Mutua declared to applause from the crowd.
He accused Gachagua of trivialising ethnic identities and using familial language to downplay the autonomy and heritage of communities outside the Mt. Kenya region.
“Even if they are people from Mt. Kenya, they are not traditional people. People from Mt. Kenya are not cousins—they are in-laws,” Mutua emphasized. “Don’t make fun of us.”
Mutua went further, stating that the Kamba people should not be subjected to what he termed “mock diplomacy,” and urged political leaders to respect the cultural uniqueness of all Kenyan communities.
“We are intelligent people. We have culture. We have a tradition,” he said. “You cannot call your in-laws cousins. That is your tradition, not ours.”
The Cabinet Secretary also questioned Gachagua’s legacy as Deputy President, accusing him of neglecting his official duties and failing to foster inclusive leadership.
“You were sent to work. You failed. You are fired. You drink here, you tweet like cousins,” Mutua said sarcastically, drawing laughter from the audience.
Gachagua’s comments, made during a tour in Ukambani last week, sparked debate on social media. In a widely circulated clip, the former DP repeatedly referred to the Kamba people as “cousins” in an apparent attempt to forge a message of ethnic harmony.
“Sisi ni ma-cousin. Ukweli ama uongo? Hi cousins! Hi cousins! Hi cousins!” he said in a light-hearted tone. “Cousins wapendane wasipendane? Cousins watafute serikali pamoja wasitafute?”