Kalonzo demands Duale’s resignation over divisive remarks
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 25, 2026Wiper Patriotic Front and Azimio la Umoja leader Kalonzo Musyoka has demanded the resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar over what he described as divisive tribal remarks, saying the two had failed the test of public leadership.
Speaking during a funeral service in Mumoni, Mwingi North, Kitui County on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Kalonzo said leaders who promote division should not remain in public office. He also accused President William Ruto’s administration of failing to uphold national unity and warned against continued reports of enforced disappearances.
His remarks came as the controversy surrounding Duale’s statements continued to grow, with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) already investigating the Health CS over alleged divisive utterances made after the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Kalonzo calls for Duale and Hassan Omar to resign
Kalonzo told mourners that both Duale and Hassan Omar were no longer fit to serve in public office because of their conduct.
“Watu kama kina Duale wasiwasumbue, mtu kama huyo angefaa ajiuzulu. Yeye na Katibu Mkuu wa chama cha UDA, anayeitwa Hassan Omar. They have no reason to claim to be public leaders. They aren’t. They have failed the test miserably, along, of course, with their chief boss,” Kalonzo said.
His remarks follow growing criticism of Duale over comments made after the Ol Kalou by-election, which critics have described as tribal. On Friday, NCIC confirmed that it had opened investigations into the matter after receiving a formal complaint.
However, Duale has maintained that he did nothing wrong.
Speaking at a fundraiser in Marsabit earlier on Saturday, July 25, 2026, the Health CS said he would neither apologise nor withdraw his remarks.
“Msijali maneno mmeona kwa social media. Mimi, I am not going to apologise,” Duale said.
He argued that his comments did not amount to hate speech and insisted they had been misinterpreted.
‘State House is not a place of glory’
Kalonzo also criticised President Ruto’s administration, saying the country’s highest office should serve every Kenyan equally.
“State House is not a place of glory, it’s a place of sweat. Na kuhakikisha haki inafanyika Kenya hii, na kuhakikisha kwamba utawala wa haki wa katiba unaonekana wazi. Lakini sio mahali ya makateli,” he said.
He further claimed that President Ruto had acknowledged the existence of criminal gangs associated with his political side after declaring that militia groups would no longer be tolerated.
“Sasa Ruto jana amekubali, amekubali. Goons, hawa hawa wahuni. Kumbe walikuwa wa Ruto. Alisema kuanzia jana hakuna militia tena.”
Kalonzo warned that any future reports of abductions would further erode public confidence in the government.
“Ruto tukisikia wameshika watu wetu tena kama Bernard Kavuli na kuweka ndani ya Subaru, utajua Wakenya hawana imani kabisa na wewe,” he said.
The government has repeatedly denied involvement in illegal abductions, although the issue has remained a major point of criticism from opposition leaders and human rights groups.
Kalonzo says Ol Kalou by-election was a warning
The opposition leader also pointed to the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, arguing that the result reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“So Ol Kalou was a warning shot. Uchaguzi ujao hautakuwa uchaguzi wa kawaida. Utakuwa uchaguzi wa aina ya Ol Kalou,” Kalonzo said.
He claimed that the government deployed enormous financial and political resources during the campaign but still failed to convince voters.
“Ol Kalou walifanyiwa bajeti ya shilingi bilioni kumi na tano. I think they looked even for supplementary budget. Hakuna waziri wa Ruto hakutumwa kule.”
Kalonzo claimed Cabinet Secretaries spent weeks campaigning in the constituency and even organised transport to reach remote areas, but voters still rejected the ruling party’s candidate.
The Wiper leader said the by-election reflected the frustrations first expressed by young Kenyans during the 2024 anti-government protests.
According to Kalonzo, many young people remain concerned about the high cost of living, increased taxation and corruption.
“Vijana wakasema mmeharibu nchi yetu, hatutavumilia tena. Ushuru umekuwa too much, wizi umekuwa too much. Hatuvumilii, tunataka nchi yetu.”
He praised Ol Kalou voters for what he described as setting a new political direction.
“Watu wa Ol Kalou, tuwapigie makofi… wameonyesha mvumo mpya. The new republic. Kenya mpya.”