NAIROBI, Kenya — A section of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) legislators from the Mt Kenya region has demanded the resignation of the party’s Secretary General, Hassan Omar, over remarks they described as ethnically divisive and inflammatory.
The leaders issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the UDA official, insisting that his apology was insufficient and that he should step down or face further political action within the ruling party.
The growing backlash follows controversial remarks allegedly made by Omar during a political gathering at the Coast, where critics accused him of targeting the Mt Kenya community amid rising political tensions over the government’s handling of the economy and opposition criticism.
Among those who have publicly condemned the remarks are leaders from Central Kenya allied to President William Ruto’s administration, including governors, MPs and grassroots politicians who warned that ethnic profiling could destabilise national unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The MPs argued that Omar’s comments contradicted the spirit of inclusivity that UDA has promoted since coming to power.
“We cannot preach national unity while senior party officials make statements that appear to isolate or profile communities,” some of the leaders said during a press briefing carried by local media.
Pressure has continued mounting despite Omar issuing a public apology and clarification, where he insisted his remarks had been misunderstood and taken out of context.
The UDA Secretary General said he never intended to demean any community and maintained that his comments were linked to historical injustices and political discourse rather than tribal hostility.
However, his critics dismissed the apology as inadequate, arguing that leaders occupying senior national positions must exercise restraint and avoid rhetoric capable of fuelling ethnic tension.
The controversy has exposed widening cracks within Kenya Kwanza, with analysts warning that internal tensions over succession politics and regional loyalty could intensify as the country edges closer to the 2027 campaigns.
