Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over remarks he made in response to the outcome of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, describing them as regrettable and potentially divisive.
In a statement issued on Friday, Waiguru said it was “overly simplistic and dangerous” to attribute the government’s political challenges to ethnic prejudice, arguing that such rhetoric risks undermining national unity.
“The ethnic profiling remarks made by CS Aden Duale in response to the Ol Kalou by-election are deeply regrettable,” Waiguru said.
She noted that the Kikuyu community had strongly supported the Kenya Kwanza administration in previous elections, adding that it was unfair to portray the community through the lens of ethnic politics.
Addressing Duale directly, the governor said that given his long experience in public service and politics, he should exercise greater restraint in his public remarks.
“An apology is not only necessary, it is owed to the people of Kenya,” she said.
Waiguru urged leaders to embrace responsible leadership and measured political discourse as the country heads toward the 2027 General Election.
She stressed that Kenya belongs to all its citizens regardless of ethnicity and cautioned against statements that could inflame ethnic tensions or erode national cohesion.
