Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has joined growing criticism against UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar over alleged divisive remarks, calling on President William Ruto to take decisive action against leaders promoting narratives that threaten national cohesion.
Speaking after a Sunday church service and public engagement in Gacharage, Murang’a County, Muturi condemned Omar’s remarks about the Mt Kenya region, terming them inflammatory and dangerous.
“I stated firmly that the Kikuyu community are not tenants in Kenya. They are citizens of this Republic by birth, by right and by sacrifice,” Muturi said.
He warned that reckless ethnic rhetoric risked reviving tensions similar to those witnessed during the 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis.
“The remarks made by UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar were unfortunate, inflammatory and deeply disturbing. An apology alone cannot erase words that have the potential to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines,” he said.
Muturi also challenged Ruto to act against leaders accused of promoting tribal politics.
“I call upon President William Ruto, if indeed he stands against tribalism, to take decisive action against leaders who promote dangerous narratives that threaten national cohesion. Silence or inaction only emboldens such behaviour,” said Muturi.
The criticism follows recent remarks by Omar in which he appeared to fault the Mt Kenya region for turning against Ruto despite backing him in the 2022 elections.
“When Daniel Arap Moi was in power, you called him a passing cloud. When William Ruto took over, you started saying one term. Just like Moi was not a passing cloud, neither will Ruto serve for only one term,” Omar said.
Omar also accused some leaders from the region of arrogance and sabotaging the country, remarks that have since triggered sharp political backlash.
Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the statements, saying the UDA Secretary-General had no authority to issue remarks profiling any community in Kenya.
“This calculated incitement must be condemned and halted immediately. Kenya has walked the painful road of post-election violence in 2007, and we, as a nation, cannot and must not be allowed to retrace those dark steps,” Kalonzo said.
“Let it be clearly understood: should this incitement persist, the matter will be escalated to the International Criminal Court (ICC).”
Mutahi Kahiga also weighed in on the controversy, calling for Omar’s resignation as UDA Secretary General over what he termed divisive remarks.
The growing criticism has heightened political tensions within and outside UDA, with leaders warning against ethnic rhetoric ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
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