NAIROBI, Kenya — Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has warned against ethnic profiling and divisive politics, saying such rhetoric threatens national unity and risks deepening tensions in the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued amid growing political uproar over recent remarks by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar, Kinyanjui said leaders must exercise restraint and avoid statements that isolate communities along ethnic lines.
“Ethnic profiling should be discouraged as it fuels division and undermines national unity,” Kinyanjui said.
The Trade CS stressed that Kenya’s diversity should be embraced as a strength rather than exploited for political mobilisation.
His remarks come after Hassan Omar faced intense criticism over comments widely interpreted as targeting the Kikuyu community during discussions surrounding anti-government protests and opposition politics.
The controversial remarks triggered backlash from leaders across the political divide, especially from the Mt Kenya region, with several politicians accusing Omar of engaging in dangerous ethnic rhetoric.
Omar later issued a public apology, insisting his comments had been misunderstood and were not intended to demean or target any community.
“My comments were never intended to demean, offend, or target any community,” Omar said in the statement.
However, the apology has done little to calm the political storm, with senior leaders within Kenya Kwanza and the opposition continuing to condemn the remarks.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday also cautioned security leaders against allowing divisive politics to flourish, urging politicians to focus on policies instead of ethnicity.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru accused Omar of “ethnic baiting,” while Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka warned that such statements risk reopening historical divisions in the country.
Kinyanjui urged leaders to promote peaceful coexistence and issue-based politics, saying Kenyans were more concerned about economic hardships and development than ethnic confrontations.
Political analysts have warned that rising ethnic rhetoric could heighten tensions as political realignments intensify ahead of the next General Election.
