Former President William Ruto’s senior Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria, has warned political leaders against negatively profiling the Mt Kenya region, cautioning that such remarks risk plunging the country back into divisive ethnic politics.
In a strongly-worded statement on his official X account on Saturday, Kuria called out leaders including Tiaty MP William Kamket, Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, accusing them of repeatedly making remarks that suggest the region considers itself superior to others.
“In the recent past, I have listened to a number of leaders allege that there is a community that thinks it’s superior to others. From Kamket to Mandago to Aden Duale in Balambala today,” Kuria stated.
Warning Against Negative Ethnicity
Kuria stressed that he and others remain firmly opposed to the return of negative ethnicity in Kenya’s politics. He said collective condemnation of entire communities is unacceptable and must be resisted.
“Some of us have unapologetically said NO to returning this country to the politics of negative ethnicity. Equally, we will vehemently resist wholesale condemnation and collective punishment of an entire community,” he declared.
He further urged leaders to address grievances directly with individuals instead of dragging entire communities into disputes.
“If you have a problem with any individual from the Mt Kenya Community, do not take it out against an entire people. If Mt Kenya people have eaten your goat, let me know, and I will pay you back,” he said.
Kuria warned that pushing communities “to the wall” could trigger unforeseen and dangerous political consequences.
Clash With Aden Duale
The former Public Service CS’s remarks come just days after he publicly criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. Kuria took issue with Duale’s statements suggesting that the citizenship of Mediheal Group founder Swarup Mishra could be revoked following allegations of organ trafficking at the hospital.
According to Kuria, Duale overstepped his constitutional mandate by making pronouncements on matters of immigration, which are outside his docket.
“Sometimes I wonder. When a senior government official who is not in charge of immigration says we will cancel citizenship and deport so-and-so, do we ponder to think what investors will think of our country? Are we that unorthodox?” Kuria asked.
He added that such statements risk damaging Kenya’s investment climate, scaring away investors, and worsening the country’s unemployment crisis.
“What of investors’ confidence? What of due process? What of our credit rating? At this rate, from where shall we get jobs for these children of ours? Gracious Lord, hear us,” Kuria lamented.
Kuria reaffirmed that he would remain at the forefront of defending the Mt Kenya region from unfair targeting, noting that blanket accusations were politically reckless and counterproductive.
