UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar has apologized after Governor Anne Waiguru accused him of ethnic baiting over remarks linked to the Mt Kenya region and President William Ruto.

📻 Breaking It Down

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 — United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar has issued a public apology following backlash from Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru over remarks she described as “ethnic baiting” targeting the Mt Kenya region.

In a clarification statement dated May 24, Omar said his earlier comments had been “misinterpreted and taken out of context,” insisting they were never intended to demean or isolate any community.

“My comments were never intended to demean, offend, or target any community,” Omar stated.

📌 What You Need to Know

The UDA Secretary General said his remarks were made within the context of his long-standing advocacy on historical land injustices affecting the Coastal region and were not meant to fuel hostility or ethnic division.

“Throughout my public life, I have remained firmly committed to upholding the dignity, rights, and unity of all Kenyans. The remarks in question were made within the context of my long-standing advocacy on historical land injustices affecting the Coastal region, and were never intended to promote division, hostility, or animosity among communities,” he said.

Omar further acknowledged that some Kenyans, particularly from the Central Kenya region, may have been offended by his remarks and offered an apology.

“Nevertheless, I fully appreciate that some of our brothers and sisters, particularly from the Central Kenya region, may have felt aggrieved by the remarks. To all those who may have been offended, I sincerely regret the misunderstanding and extend my apology,” he added.

The apology comes hours after Waiguru sharply criticized Omar over comments he made during a press briefing at the UDA headquarters on May 19, where he appeared to fault political sentiments emerging from the Mt Kenya region against President William Ruto.

Waiguru accused Omar of engaging in divisive politics and warned that such rhetoric risked reviving dangerous ethnic tensions in the country.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya