NAKURU, Kenya — People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over remarks she described as inflammatory and capable of fuelling ethnic divisions, while urging young Kenyans not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate political violence.
Speaking in Nakuru after a closed-door meeting with grassroots leaders allied to the PLP on Saturday, Karua described the Cabinet Secretary’s comments as reckless but declined to repeat them.
“If there is something that Duale said which does not make sense, I am not going to amplify it,” Karua said.
She instead appealed for peaceful political engagement ahead of the 2027 General Election, urging young people to reject attempts by politicians to recruit them into violent activities.
“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 said.
Karua also called on political leaders to conduct peaceful campaigns and accused the government of using public resources for political mobilisation.
“Let us adopt peaceful campaigns and let the government of the day stop abusing our resources to campaign for itself. Stop employing violence,” she added.
Her remarks come amid mounting criticism of comments made by Duale earlier this week during a public event in Lafey Constituency, Mandera County.
In a video that has circulated widely on social media, the Health Cabinet Secretary, speaking in Somali, praised the Kenya Kwanza administration for expanding access to national identity cards and implementing development projects in the North Eastern region.
During the address, Duale made remarks that critics interpreted as targeting the Kikuyu community and also criticised the administrations of former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing them of neglecting the region and limiting access to national identity cards.
The comments sparked condemnation from leaders across the political divide, who accused the Cabinet Secretary of making statements that could inflame ethnic tensions.
Duale has, however, rejected the accusations, saying his remarks were taken out of context.
He explained that the phrase, “Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib,” was a well-known Somali proverb referring to the difficulty of abandoning entrenched habits 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,” Duale said.
The Cabinet Secretary maintained that his speech was intended to emphasise the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities 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.
He further dismissed claims that he had engaged in ethnic incitement, describing the allegations as “dishonest and a deliberate distortion” of his remarks, while reaffirming his commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence and equal opportunity.
The exchange comes as political rhetoric intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election, with several leaders calling for restraint and issue-based campaigns to safeguard national cohesion.