Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has criticised Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over remarks she said demeaned the Kikuyu community, urging the senior government official to withdraw his comments and apologise.
Nyamu, who described Duale as a senior leader and elder whom she respects, said she was “shocked” and deeply uncomfortable with his recent remarks about the Kikuyu community.
“I am a Kikuyu and I support President William Ruto unapologetically. But Kenya is a democracy. Those who choose not to support him have every right to make that choice without being insulted,” Nyamu said.
She said supporters of President Ruto should not be expected to remain silent when their community is criticised. Still, she cautioned leaders against treating political differences as a basis for attacking entire communities.
Nyamu urged Duale to direct his criticism at specific political leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other leaders from the Mt Kenya region, rather than associating their political positions with the entire community.
“Please address Rigathi Gachagua, address Uhuru Kenyatta, address leaders in Mt Kenya. The people are not politicians and no politician speaks for every Mt Kenyan,” she said.
She maintained that President Ruto still enjoys support among sections of the Mt Kenya region and warned against portraying the community as politically united behind one position.
“Please do not bundle an entire community together and dress us down over political differences,” she said.
Nyamu said remarks that demean an entire community could undermine efforts to promote national unity and equal opportunities for all Kenyans.
She also said such statements placed leaders from Mt Kenya who support the President in an unfair position by making them appear to be acting against the interests of their community.
The senator called on Duale to withdraw the remarks and apologise, saying political leaders could campaign for the President and defend his record while respecting Kenyans who hold different political views.
“We can campaign for the President and defend his record while respecting every Kenyan, including those who disagree with us,” she said.
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