Lands CS Alice Wahome has urged Health CS Aden Duale to withdraw his controversial remarks and apologise following public backlash.Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has criticised her Cabinet colleague Aden Duale over his recent remarks targeting the Kikuyu community, demanding that the Health Cabinet Secretary withdraw his comments and issue an apology.
In a statement shared on her social media platforms on Sunday, July 26, Wahome said the actions of other leaders in the past could not be used as justification for making offensive statements.
She argued that Duale’s refusal to apologise was disappointing and urged him to take responsibility for his remarks.
"Hon. Aden Duale, CS, your recent remarks against the Kikuyu community have brought out the worst in you. You have been called to apologise, but you said no because, according to you, other people have made worse mistakes," Wahome stated.
The Lands CS insisted that wrong actions by others do not excuse similar behaviour, calling on Duale to reconsider his position.
"Two wrongs don’t make a right, and only a fool does not change his/her mind. You should withdraw your remarks and apologise profusely," she added.
Wahome’s comments came a day after Duale maintained that he would not apologise over the remarks that have sparked public criticism and drawn the attention of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Speaking in Garissa on Sunday, Duale challenged the commission to also investigate former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what he described as repeated tribal remarks.
He said he would only appear before the NCIC if Gachagua was also summoned, accusing the commission of applying double standards by focusing on government officials while ignoring statements made by opposition figures.
"The day I will go to NCIC, I must go with Gachagua. I will come with my lawyers and he with his. If there is anyone with the number one Kenyan hate speech, it is Gachagua, and I am not sorry about it," Duale said.
Duale has faced growing pressure over the remarks, with several leaders, especially from the opposition, calling on President William Ruto to take action if the Health CS refuses to apologise or resign.
The controversy has emerged as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election, with the NCIC investigating the remarks over possible breaches related to hate speech and ethnic incitement.
Despite the criticism, Duale has maintained that his comments were taken out of context and has insisted that he will not issue an apology.