Former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has taken a stand against President William Ruto, challenging his failure to respond after controversial statements were made by the ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar, which sent waves through the public that questioned alleged ethnic profiling and divisive political messages.

Taking it to his X account on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Wamalwa has slammed Omar’s recent apology as “tongue-in-cheek”, noting that the apology did not come from a place of seriousness and that it did not come with a context that took into account the gravity of the statement he made.

“We have heard @HassanOmarH’s tongue-in-cheek apology for his 41-against-1 divisive talk that’s a threat to our national unity and cohesion, but nothing from his boss, who is supposed to be a symbol of national unity and in whose presence his SG made the offensive remarks without any admonition! The hyena told the stone,’ Wamalwa said in an X statement.

The former CS, however, had his strongest criticism for President Ruto, whose ‘omerta’ had not been able to publicly condemn the remarks by a senior party official who had made them in his presence. Wamalwa said the president, as the symbol of national unity, had a constitutional and moral responsibility to immediately condemn any statements that may ‘aggravate ethnic tension’.

He also cautioned Kenya against re-experiencing the tarnished saga of post-election violence of 2007/2008 that could undermine national unity, urging leaders from both sides of the political divide to behave responsibly and focus on building unity instead of political mobilisation based on ethnic arithmetic.

“Even if you’re quiet, you have heard what Kenyans are saying; they will not go down that 2007/08 road!” Wamalwa said.

Omar’s apology

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan has clarified his recent remarks, which drew debate, saying that he was misinterpreted and taken out of context.

In a statement by the Office of the UDA Secretary General on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Omar explained that his comments were not intended to demean, offend, or target any community.

“Following the remarks I made recently, which appear to have been misinterpreted and taken out of context, I wish to clarify as follows: My comments were never intended to demean, offend, or target any community,” the statement read in part.

Further extending his apology to all those who were affected, Omar described his sentiments as having been misunderstood. 

“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.