Karen Nyamu Takes on CS Duale Over Remarks on Kikuyu Community

Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has criticized Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale following his recent remarks about the Kikuyu community. 

In a statement on Wednesday, September 30, Nyamu said she was shocked by CS Duale’s utterances. 

The lawmaker maintained that Kenya is a democratic country and the citizens have a right to support or oppose any political leader.

“Hon. Aden Duale, I respect you as a senior leader and an elder. But I must tell you that your recent remarks about the Kikuyu community shocked me and made me deeply uncomfortable

“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,” she stated. 

Nyamu asked CS Duale to distinguish between Mt Kenya politicians and ordinary members of the community, saying the politicians do not speak for every resident of the region.

“Please do not bundle an entire community together and dress us down over political differences,” Nyamu stated. 

The nominated Senator noted that President Ruto has worked hard to build a country where every community belongs and enjoys equal opportunities and cautioned Duale against undermining his work. 

Further, Nyamu asked CS Duale to withdraw his remarks and apologize to Mt Kenya residents. 

“I respectfully ask you to withdraw your remarks and apologise. We can campaign for the President and defend his record while respecting every Kenyan, including those who disagree with us,” she added. 

CS Duale has been on the spot after he publicly challenged claims that the Mt Kenya region commands about eight million voters. 

Speaking in Mombasa on Sunday, September 29, Duale argued that the region only has three million voters, citing voting patterns in the 2022 election.

“You people from the mountain gave William Ruto three million votes and gave Raila one million votes. If you subtract the one million votes of other Kenyans who live among you, your votes amount to three million,” he said. 

The Health CS, who appeared to target former DP Rigathi Gachagua, challenged him to provide scientific evidence showing the Mt Kenya region has 8 million votes. 

“This nonsense you keep telling us about having eight million people, you should prove it scientifically. Your population in Kenya is 11 percent. You want to tell me that your population is eight million and your votes are eight million,” he stated.