Moses Kuria warns Kenya Kwanza leaders against stoking ethnic tensions

In a strongly worded social media post, the former Gatundu South MP criticized what he termed the “broad-brush condemnation” of the Kikuyu community in the wake of the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Kuria urged leaders to focus on nation-building rather than ethnic scapegoating.

“Yesterday in Mbalambala, Aden Duale declared in broad light that 2027 will be like 2007 — the good, the bad, and the ugly, I presume,” Kuria wrote, referencing remarks by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during a rally in Garissa County.

Kuria, once a staunch ally of President William Ruto and a vocal figure in the 2022 campaigns, advised politicians to reflect on their public pronouncements.

“I call upon all leaders to play back their speeches every evening and do some soul searching, not because of ourselves but because of our children,” he added.

The former Trade CS, who has since exited government after a stint as a State House advisor, singled out lawmakers William Kamket, Jackson Mandago, and Aden Duale, accusing them of perpetuating divisive politics.

“From Kamket to Mandago to Aden Duale, some of us have unapologetically said no to returning this country to the politics of negative ethnicity. We equally reject the wholesale condemnation and collective punishment of an entire community. Do not drive our backs against the wall — a point of no return may lead to unintended consequences,” Kuria cautioned.

His remarks follow weeks of heightened political rhetoric. In July, Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago made remarks critics deemed ethnically charged, while over the weekend, CS Duale accused former Deputy President Gachagua of sowing tribal divisions.

“The days of entitlement — that one community is more important than the others — are gone. That ended with the new Constitution,” Duale said during the Garissa rally.