Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka on Tuesday criticized Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over recemt inflammatory and divisive remarks against the Mt. Kenya region, accusing him of using language that could undermine national cohesion.
The two leaders who spoke in Kitale on the sidelines of a meeting with members of the Kisii community living in Trans Nzoia County, condemned what they termed as derogatory remarks by the Cabinet Secretary and called on leaders to foster unity instead of deepening political and ethnic divisions.
Natembeya accused Duale of profiling an entire community by referring to individuals as “fisi” (hyenas), saying such remarks were inappropriate for a senior government official.
“If you are in government, if you are a Cabinet Secretary, you are supposed to be humble,” Natembeya said. “When you go around calling people ‘fisi,’ you are basically profiling an entire community.”
The governor said Kenya’s Constitution guarantees citizens the freedom to make political choices and warned that public officials should avoid rhetoric that stigmatizes communities or fuels political intolerance.
He also questioned what he described as the selective application of the law, arguing that all Kenyans deserve equal treatment regardless of their political affiliation.
Natembeya urged leaders to focus on strengthening democracy and encouraging public participation in governance rather than engaging in confrontational politics.
“We want to salvage Kenya. We cannot do it alone. People must come out and participate in this democratic existence,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Senator Onyonka said leaders have a duty to safeguard national cohesion and avoid language that could incite hatred.
“What Duale forgets is that some of us have maintained the dignity of making sure that this country remains governable and reasonable with itself,” he said.
The senator warned that demeaning political opponents could have dangerous consequences, drawing parallels with the rhetoric that preceded the 1994 Rwanda genocide, where targeted groups were dehumanized before widespread violence.
“You first demonize the person you hate and then create a narrative so that the public begins to hate each other,” Onyonka said.
Onyonka called on Duale to resign over the remarks, saying an apology would not be sufficient.
