Politicians have been urged to conduct peaceful campaigns and avoid rhetoric that could inflame ethnic tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a closed-door meeting with grassroots leaders allied to the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) in Nakuru, party leader Martha Karua cautioned against inflammatory political statements and called on leaders to promote national unity.
Karua criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over recent remarks touching on the Kikuyu community, describing them as reckless and warning that they risk deepening ethnic divisions.
She also appealed to young Kenyans not to allow themselves to be exploited by politicians to fuel conflict, saying elections should be won through persuasion rather than violence.
“I appeal to the young people in this country: do not agree to be misused to go and fight proxy wars. We don’t have to fight to do our politics; everybody has their votes in their pockets, and I cannot raid your pockets to get your votes. I can only persuade you so that tomorrow, when elections are called, you give me your vote,” she added.
“Let us adopt peaceful campaigns and let the government of the day stop abusing our resources to campaign for itself. Stop employing violence.”
Karua's remarks came amid growing criticism from political leaders over comments made by Duale earlier this week.
The controversy stems from a video recorded during a public event in Lafey Constituency, Mandera County, on Tuesday, in which Duale, speaking in Somali, praised the Kenya Kwanza administration for restoring what he described as the dignity of the Somali community.
He said the government had supported the community through the issuance of national identity cards and the implementation of development projects across the North Eastern region.
However, in the same speech, Duale made remarks that appeared to target the Kikuyu community, claiming they believed "no one else should live in Kenya" before likening them to hyenas.
He also criticised the administrations of former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing them of neglecting the North Eastern region and denying many residents access to national identity cards.
The comments triggered a political storm, drawing condemnation from leaders across the political divide.
Duale later defended his remarks, saying they had been taken out of context. He explained that the phrase “Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib,” which references a hyena, is a common Somali proverb and was not directed at any community.
“It is a figurative expression about the difficulty of ending entrenched habits or long-enjoyed advantages. It was never directed at any community or intended to demean anyone,” he said.
According to Duale, his remarks were intended to underscore the government's commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity for all Kenyans.
“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 accusations of ethnic incitement as “dishonest and a deliberate distortion” of his remarks, insisting that his commitment remains firmly rooted in national unity, peaceful coexistence and equal opportunity for all Kenyans.
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