Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has condemned what she described as rising ethnic-based politics, taking issue with remarks by Hassan Omar that she said risk isolating the Mt Kenya region and reopening old political wounds.
In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, Waiguru said she had consistently opposed ethnic mobilization in Mt Kenya politics and would equally reject “ethnic baiting” directed at the community.
“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,” she said.
The governor defended the “Tutam” political movement, saying it was a national outfit that does not support divisive rhetoric or hatred against any community.
“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 said.
Waiguru warned that inflammatory political rhetoric could push the country back to dark moments in Kenya’s history, in an apparent reference to the ethnic violence that followed the disputed 2007 General Election.
“As a nation, we have been there before and we said never again. That approach may excite crowds, but it is short-sighted, undemocratic, and can ultimately only be severely injurious to the nation,” she added.
She further demanded that Omar apologise over the remarks, escalating the growing political tensions between leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration and those seen to be consolidating support in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The statement comes amid heightened political activity in the country, with leaders increasingly engaging in regional mobilisation campaigns as alliances begin taking shape. Mt Kenya has emerged as a critical battleground following growing discontent among sections of the region’s leaders over their place in President William Ruto’s administration.
Omar, a close ally of the President, has in recent weeks defended the government against criticism from opposition leaders and factions linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing some politicians of promoting tribal politics.
Waiguru’s remarks now place her among leaders calling for restraint in political discourse, even as the country’s political temperatures continue to rise.
