Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has urged President William Ruto to take firm action against leaders accused of spreading ethnic division, saying silence from the Head of State could encourage further tension.

Speaking on May 24, 2026, after a Sunday service and public meeting in Gacharage, Murang’a County, Muturi said Kenya must not return to a past shaped by ethnic suspicion and fear. He stressed that all communities belong equally to the country.

“I stated firmly that the Kikuyu community are not tenants in Kenya. They are citizens of this Republic by birth, by right and by sacrifice,” Muturi said. He added that no community should be made to feel like an outsider through political rhetoric.

He directly criticised remarks made by Hassan Omar Hassan, the UDA Secretary General, describing them as dangerous and divisive. Muturi said the comments went beyond political disagreement and risked inflaming ethnic tensions.

“The remarks made by UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar were unfortunate, inflammatory and deeply disturbing,” he said. “An apology alone cannot erase words that have the potential to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines.”

Muturi then shifted his message to President Ruto, calling for decisive leadership.

“I call upon President William Ruto, if indeed he stands against tribalism, to take decisive action against leaders who promote dangerous narratives that threaten national cohesion. Silence or inaction only emboldens such behaviour,” he said.

Muturi demands decisive action

His remarks come amid rising pressure on the government after similar concerns were raised by other political leaders. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the ruling party must be held accountable for its officials’ statements. He argued that it is not enough for Hassan Omar to apologise and suggested that both Omar and Ruto should be held responsible through formal accountability channels.

At the same time, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga called for Omar’s resignation, saying leaders must take responsibility for their words. He accused Omar of promoting ethnic profiling and challenged him to step down if he believed in accountability.

Other leaders also weighed in. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru rejected any form of ethnic baiting, while Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara accused senior government figures of fuelling hostility. Political commentator Tony Gachoka also condemned the remarks, calling them offensive and irresponsible.

Hassan Omar later issued an apology, saying his comments had been misunderstood and were meant to highlight historical land injustices at the Coast. He insisted he did not intend to target any community and expressed regret for the offence caused.

Despite the apology, pressure continues to mount on the government and UDA leadership, with leaders warning that unchecked political rhetoric could damage national unity ahead of the 2027 elections.