Kenyans are closely monitoring the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) following Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale's refusal to apologise for controversial ethnic remarks aimed at communities from the Mt Kenya region.
Duale has stood firm on his statements despite widespread criticism, including from within President William Ruto's Cabinet. The CS challenged NCIC to summon Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alongside him, accusing the commission of double standards in handling divisive speech.
During a community event in Mandera County, Duale praised President Ruto but suggested that an unnamed community believed only its members should succeed in Kenya. The comments were widely perceived as targeting the Kikuyu community, sparking public outrage and political backlash.
NCIC confirmed receipt of a formal complaint and announced an impartial investigation into the alleged ethnic incitement. The commission emphasized that such remarks could violate Article 33 of the Constitution and provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act if proven.
Several leaders, including Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, have urged Duale to retract his statements and apologise to preserve national unity. Wahome described the remarks as harmful and cautioned against justifying them by pointing to others' mistakes.
The situation places NCIC under intense scrutiny, as critics question its effectiveness in addressing ethnic division by public figures. This case is seen as a significant test for the commission's new Chairperson, Kepha Nyamweya Omae, amid calls for decisive action.
