Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has called for the resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar, accusing the two leaders of making divisive ethnic remarks that render them unfit to hold public office.
Speaking during the burial of Pastor William Muthengi in Mumoni, Mwingi North Constituency, Kitui County, on Saturday, Kalonzo said leaders entrusted with public office should promote national cohesion rather than deepen ethnic divisions.
"They have no reason to claim to be public leaders. They aren't. They have failed the test miserably," Kalonzo said, arguing that anyone whose statements fuel ethnic tensions should step aside.
The Wiper leader said the Kenya Kwanza administration had failed in its responsibility to unite the country, insisting that public officials must be held to the highest standards of leadership and accountability.
Kalonzo also criticized President William Ruto's administration, saying State House should serve as a centre of public service and national unity rather than political interests.
"State House is not a place of glory, it is a place of work, it is not a place for cartels," he said.
He further condemned reported cases of abductions, warning against the alleged use of security agencies to intimidate government critics.
"President Ruto alisimama jana kusema hakuna more goons, kumbe goons walikuwa wa Ruto. The next time utashika watu wetu na kuwaweka kwa Subaru is the day utajua Kenyans wamekosa imani na wewe," Kalonzo said.
His remarks come as Health CS Aden Duale faces mounting criticism over comments made during a public gathering in Lafey Constituency, Mandera County, that were widely interpreted as disparaging the Mt Kenya community.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has since opened investigations into the remarks over possible ethnic incitement.
Duale has, however, rejected calls to apologise, maintaining that his comments were taken out of context.
In a statement issued on July 24, the Cabinet Secretary said the phrase, "Waraabe la-tagis bartay, ka-ridis waa ku dhib," is a common Somali proverb and was never intended to target any community.
"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," Duale said.
He reiterated on Saturday that he stood by his remarks, insisting they had been deliberately misrepresented.
Meanwhile, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar had apologised following criticism over remarks made in Mombasa about historical land injustices at the Coast, which some interpreted as targeting the Kikuyu community.
Omar said his comments were intended to address long-standing land grievances and expressed regret to those offended.
Kalonzo also pointed to the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, describing it as evidence of changing political attitudes ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"Uchaguzi ujao hautakuwa uchaguzi wa kawaida, utakuwa kama wa Ol Kalou. Serikali ilitumia hadi supplementary budget, lakini vijana wakasema hawatavumilia tena. Ufisadi umekuwa mwingi, hakuna kazi, hatutaki mharibu nchi halafu mwende zenu," he said.
The controversy surrounding the remarks by Duale and Omar has reignited debate over ethnic rhetoric in Kenyan politics, with political leaders and lawmakers urging restraint as the country heads toward the 2027 General Election.