Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has criticized UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar over remarks she says amount to ethnic baiting, calling for an apology and cautioning against divisive politics.

📻 Breaking It Down

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 — Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has sharply criticized United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar, accusing him of engaging in “shortsighted, undemocratic ethnic baiting” following recent remarks perceived as targeting the Mt Kenya region.

Waiguru said Omar’s statements risk reviving dangerous ethnic divisions in the country and called for an immediate public apology.

“I have stood against ethnic-based politics when espoused by some leaders in Mt Kenya. In equal measure, I strongly stand against the Hassan Omar type of ethnic baiting that seeks to isolate the people of Mt Kenya,” Waiguru said.

📌 What You Need to Know

She emphasized that her position is rooted in national unity and warned that inflammatory rhetoric could undo years of progress in fostering cohesion.

“The Tutam movement, to which we remain fully committed, is a national movement that does not legitimize the spewing of ethnic hatred, however couched,” she added.

“As a nation, we have been there before and we said never again.”

Waiguru further cautioned that while such rhetoric may energize political crowds, it is ultimately destructive.

“That approach may excite crowds, but it is short-sighted, undemocratic, and can ultimately only be severely injurious to the nation. He owes our nation an apology,” she stated.

The remarks come in response to comments made by Omar during a press briefing on May 19 at the UDA headquarters, where he appeared to criticize political sentiments from the Mt Kenya region, particularly those opposing President William Ruto.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya