Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has declared that he will not respond to any summons from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) unless former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is also called to appear.

The dispute follows Duale's remarks in his native Somali during an event in Lafey Constituency, which some critics interpreted as divisive and targeting the Kikuyu community. Duale rejected these claims, stating his words were taken out of context and misrepresented.

He explained that the controversial phrase he used, "Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib," is a traditional Somali proverb about the difficulty of changing long-held habits, and was not intended to demean any community.

According to Duale, his speech promoted inclusivity and the government's commitment to equal opportunities for all Kenyans regardless of ethnicity or region.

He accused his critics of distorting his remarks for political gain and highlighted what he described as selective condemnation of leaders' statements.

Following public complaints, the NCIC announced it had launched an investigation into Duale's comments.

Speaking at a wedding in Garissa, Duale challenged the commission's impartiality, stating:

  • "The day NCIC summons Rigathi Gachagua is the day they will summon me."
  • "I will not go to the NCIC offices before Gachagua does."

Duale further accused Gachagua of fueling ethnic division through his statements and questioned the lack of action against the former Deputy President despite his own controversial remarks.

He also referenced past instances where Gachagua questioned appointments of Somali community members to senior government positions, asserting that Gachagua promotes ethnic politics by championing his community while criticizing others.

Shifting focus to the upcoming 2027 General Election, Duale revealed plans to mobilize at least five million votes from pastoralist regions to support President William Ruto's re-election bid, emphasizing ongoing efforts to increase voter registration and documentation.

Duale credited President Ruto's administration with unprecedented inclusivity, particularly for the Somali community, contrasting it with past governments that he said marginalized northern Kenya residents.

He reiterated his denial that his Lafey speech incited ethnic hatred and underscored his political experience compared to Gachagua, noting he entered politics in 2005.