The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has launched investigations into alleged ethnic incitement by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
This followed complaints over remarks he made during a public event in Lafey Constituency.l
In a statement, NCIC said its Investigations Department had commenced an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the remarks, which have widely circulated on social media.
“The National Cohesion and Integration Commission acknowledges receipt of a complaint regarding alleged utterances by Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale. Our Investigations Department is conducting a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the said utterances,” NCIC said.
The Commission revealed that it welcomed members of the public who had reported the matter and urged Kenyans to continue reporting incidents involving divisive political rhetoric and ethnic profiling.
“We cannot afford to watch this country slide into anarchy, especially through utterances that divide communities,” it added.
Additionally, NCIC reiterated that Kenya belongs to all communities and condemned what it described as irresponsible remarks that, if substantiated, would contravene Article 33 of the Constitution and Sections 13 and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
However, Duale dismissed the allegations, saying his remarks had been taken out of context and deliberately misrepresented.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the controversy—”Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib”—is a well-known Somali proverb that has long been part of the community’s oral tradition.
