By James Murimi - Reporter
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Kenya, 24 July 2026 - Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has defended controversial remarks that sparked a public outcry, insisting they were taken out of context, even as the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) opened investigations into allegations of ethnic incitement.
The probe, announced on Friday by NCIC Chairman Bishop Dr. Kepha Nyamweya Omae, followed a formal complaint over remarks attributed to the Cabinet Secretary and widely circulated on social media, escalating the controversy into a major national issue.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Friday evening, Duale denied that his comments were intended to target any community, saying they had been 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," Duale said.
The Health CS explained that the phrase, "Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib," is a well-known Somali proverb that figuratively describes the difficulty of abandoning long-held habits or privileges and was never intended to demean any community.
"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 dismissed claims that the remarks amounted to ethnic incitement, describing such interpretations as "dishonest" and a deliberate distortion of his message.
He also criticised what he termed selective condemnation, saying some leaders had remained silent when inflammatory remarks were previously directed at the Somali community.
"Kenya's strength lies in its diversity. My commitment remains to national unity, peaceful coexistence and equal opportunity for every Kenyan, without exception," he said.
However, NCIC confirmed that its Investigations Department had commenced a thorough and impartial inquiry into the matter.
"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 Chairman Bishop Omae said.
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The commission commended members of the public who reported the matter and urged Kenyans to continue reporting incidents of ethnic profiling, hate speech and divisive political rhetoric.
"We cannot afford to watch this country slide into anarchy, especially through utterances that divide communities," Bishop Omae said.
He stressed that Kenya belongs to all communities and warned that, if the allegations are substantiated, the remarks could amount to violations of Article 33 of the Constitution and Sections 13 and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
Bishop Omae also appealed to political leaders to exercise restraint as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"Leadership at every level carries a solemn duty to safeguard, rather than imperil, the unity of this nation," he said.
The NCIC chairman reaffirmed the commission's commitment to enforcing the law impartially against any conduct that threatens national cohesion, saying protecting peace and national unity remains a constitutional obligation.
The investigation comes at a politically sensitive time as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election, with authorities warning leaders against rhetoric that could inflame ethnic tensions or undermine national cohesion.
Health CS says his message was about the importance of embracing inclusivity.