Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche has called for the resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over ethnic remarks he made during a public event in Mandera.
The Senator who spoke last weekend during a church function, maintained that leadership calls for accountability and not arrogance as demonstrated by CS Duale.
The Nakuru Senator maintained that the Kikuyu community just like any other community should be respected and not discriminated by any leader.
According to Senator Karanja, the Kikuyu community has continued to contribute to the economy of this country and should be respected for that.
Senator Karanja joins several leaders among them Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Jubilee Party leaders as well as DCP leaders who have called on CS Duale to apologize for a controversial traditional Somali proverb used during a public event in Mandera County.
Duale has firmly refused to retract or apologize for the remarks, claiming they were misinterpreted.
The used a traditional Somali proverb featuring a hyena (waraabe) in Lafey, Mandera County, which critics interpreted as derogatory and targeted at the Kikuyu community regarding government resource allocation.
Jubilee Party leaders, led by Jeremiah Kioni, also demanded a formal apology, terming the remarks ethnic profiling. Opposition figures like Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka similarly condemned the statements.
Duale has remained defiant, stating he will not apologize and arguing that his comments promoted inclusivity under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He accused critics of double standards and asserted he would only face the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) if former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was also investigated for his past “shareholding” remarks.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission opened a thorough and impartial inquiry through its Investigations Department to determine whether Duale’s remarks violate the National Cohesion and Integration Act and the Constitution.
