Defiant Health CS Duale says he won't apologise over remarks drawing uproar
He explained that there was no hate speech in his remarks, arguing that political criticism and comments about access to government opportunities should.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. (Photo: MoH Kenya)
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has vowed not to apologise or withdraw remarks that have sparked controversy, insisting that he has been misunderstood.
Speaking during a fundraising rally in Marsabit on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Duale laughed off criticism directed towards him over remarks that have circulated widely on social media, saying he would not be placed under coercion to apologise for speaking his mind.
“Msijali maneno mmeona kwa social media. Mimi, I am not going to apologise. Mimi ati nirudi nyuma kwa sababu mtu amesimama anaongea juu ya shares?” Duale said.
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He explained that there was no hate speech in his remarks, arguing that political criticism and comments about access to government opportunities should not be interpreted as ethnic attacks.
"Na hakuna hate speech mbaya kama kushinda mtu akisema wewe huna shares kwa hii serikali, huwezi kupata kazi,” Duale said.
The outspoken CS's remarks come amid growing uproar over comments that have been interpreted by critics as divisive and targeting members of a particular community.
Following Duale's remarks, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on residents of the Mt Kenya region not to direct their anger at the Somali community.
Speaking during a roadside rally in Embu County on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Gachagua said Duale should be held responsible for his own remarks and that the Somali community should not be blamed.
“They have not wronged us. I urge the people of Mt Kenya not to vilify the Somali community, because they have done nothing wrong. It is Duale who has wronged us,” Gachagua said.
He noted that the relationship between the Mt Kenya residents and Somali communities had remained strong, particularly in business, and should not be damaged by the remarks of one individual.
The controversy has also drawn the attention of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), which has launched investigations into the remarks.
In a statement issued on Friday, July 24, 2026, the commission said it had received a complaint and that its investigations department was conducting a thorough and impartial inquiry.
“NCIC acknowledges receipt of a complaint regarding alleged utterances by CS Duale. Our Investigations Department is conducting a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the said utterances,” the commission said.
The remarks came out after the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, in which Democracy for the Citizens Party candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru defeated the United Democratic Alliance candidate.
The Health CS had earlier dismissed opposition celebrations over the outcome, arguing that Ol Kalou had not been held by UDA before the election because the late area MP had been elected on a Jubilee Party ticket.