Senator Ledama Olekina warns of impeachment against CS Duale over ‘tribal and divisive’ remarks

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has threatened to push for the impeachment of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over remarks he termed “tribal and divisive.”

Speaking on Monday, August 18, Olekina said Duale’s comments suggesting the Mount Kenya region views itself as superior were unacceptable and unbefitting of a policymaker.

“Hon Duale, you’re a Cabinet Secretary, not a tribal politician. Your weekend’s shareholding talk is pure poison, dragging Kenya back to the dark days of 2007. If you think you’re above the law, think again. Impeachment may be the only solution,” the senator said in a strongly worded statement.

Olekina added that such utterances risk derailing efforts to unite Kenyans, arguing that only politicians, not government technocrats, could get away with such rhetoric.

The controversy stems from Duale’s remarks on Saturday, August 16, in Balambala, Garissa County, where he declared that “no community, region, or religion is superior in Kenya.” He argued that the Constitution guarantees equality and accused political rivals of unfairly targeting President William Ruto for championing national unity.

His statement has since sparked heated reactions. Former Trade CS Moses Kuria, in a social media post, accused Duale of profiling the central region. He also criticized Tiaty MP William Kamket and Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, claiming they made similar comments.

“In recent weeks, some leaders have alleged that a community considers itself superior. From Kamket to Mandago to Aden Duale in Balambala today. We reject this politics of negative ethnicity and resist collective condemnation of an entire community,” Kuria said.

The war of words has revived debate over Kenya’s fragile ethnic politics, with leaders warning against rhetoric that could stir division.