The political fallout over Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale's controversial "hyena" remarks continues to intensify, with Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua accusing the CS of speaking on behalf of President William Ruto.
Addressing supporters during a rally in Mbeere South, Embu County, Gachagua dismissed Duale as merely a messenger, claiming the remarks reflected the President's sentiments. He challenged the opposition's critics, saying they had accepted the "hyena" label and would instead "devour" the Kenya Kwanza administration at the ballot in the 2027 General Election.
"Wewe umeuita mafisi ni sawa, tumekubali. Mwaka ujao tutakukula wewe, tukutafune na tukumeze. Mafisi mko? Si Kasongo ametuma Duale kutuita mafisi? Tumekubali sisi ni mafisi, na hatutakula mtu mwingine. Tunangoja wewe Kasongo, tarehe kumi mwezi wa nane, tutakukula, tukutafune na tukumeze. Ikifika saa sita utakuwa umeenda nyumbani," Gachagua told the cheering crowd.
“Wewe Umetuita mafisi. Tumekubali. 2027 tutakukula, tukutafune na tukumeze. Mafisi mpoo?!”- Riggy G in Mbeere South, Embu. pic.twitter.com/K4LuIQZfKj
— Jim Njue (@jimNjue_) July 25, 2026
The remarks come amid a growing political storm sparked by comments Duale made during a public event in Mandera County. The Cabinet Secretary has come under scrutiny after he was accused of comparing the Kikuyu community to hyenas, remarks that have since prompted investigations by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
The comments have attracted widespread condemnation from political leaders across the divide.
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Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru described the alleged remarks as "deeply regrettable," warning that linking the government's political challenges to ethnic stereotypes was both reckless and dangerous. She urged Duale to issue an unconditional apology to Kenyans.
The controversy also dominated debate in the Senate, where lawmakers from both the Majority and Minority sides warned against ethnic rhetoric ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina cautioned leaders against making statements that pit communities against one another, saying such language risks reopening wounds from the 2007/08 post-election violence.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua also criticized the Cabinet Secretary, urging public officials to exercise restraint when addressing sensitive ethnic issues.
"We are headed to very dangerous ground, and utterances of our leaders should be checked. The utterances of CS Duale, trying to elevate one community over another, going to the extent of even calling one community hyenas. We know what happened after the 2007 elections. We must put Duale on the spot and tell him that Kikuyus are not and have never been hyenas. They are citizens of this country," Wambua said.
Despite the backlash, Duale has defended his remarks, insisting they have been misrepresented.
In a statement posted on his socials, the Health CS said his comments had been taken out of context to create what he described as false and misleading narratives.
Duale explained that the phrase "Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib," is a well-known Somali proverb referring to the difficulty of abandoning long-standing habits or privileges.
"It is a figurative expression about the difficulty of ending entrenched habits or long-enjoyed advantages. It was never directed at any community or intended to demean anyone," he said.