NAIROBI— Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has denied allegations that remarks he made in Lafey Constituency amounted to ethnic incitement, insisting they have been widely misquoted and deliberately taken out of context.
In a detailed statement released on Friday , Duale clarified that the phrase he used—“Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib”—is a well-known Somali proverb long embedded in the community’s oral tradition. He described it as a figurative expression highlighting the difficulty of ending entrenched habits or long-enjoyed advantages, and stressed that it was never directed at any community or intended to demean anyone.
“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,” Duale said. He labelled attempts to portray the remarks as ethnic incitement as “dishonest and a deliberate distortion of what I said.”
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s remarks in Lafey Constituency in Mandera County pic.twitter.com/kgRSabz0JM
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The Cabinet Secretary further expressed regret that some of those now voicing outrage had remained silent when inflammatory statements targeting the Somali community were made in the past. He called on public leaders to reject selective outrage and apply consistent standards.
Reaffirming his commitment to national cohesion, Duale underscored that Kenya’s strength lies in its diversity. “My commitment remains to national unity, peaceful coexistence and equal opportunity for every Kenyan, without exception,” he stated.
The clarification comes amid growing online and political debate following his appearance in Lafey. Duale’s remarks, he maintained, were aimed at promoting broader participation in public service rather than sowing division. He urged Kenyans to focus on the substantive call for inclusivity instead of fueling misleading narratives that risk undermining the country’s hard-won social fabric.
