Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has demanded an apology from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of insulting the Kamba community by calling them “cousins.”
Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi on Tuesday, Dr Mutua said Gachagua’s recent remarks were patronising and risked stirring ethnic tensions.
“It is an insult for anyone especially a leader to casually refer to an entire community as ‘cousins,’” Mutua said. “This implies some form of hierarchy and fails to recognise our distinct identity.”
The controversy stems from a recent public appearance where Gachagua, in what some saw as a light-hearted gesture, called Kambas the Kikuyu community’s “cousins.” While the comment may have been meant to promote unity, it hasn’t landed well.
Mutua, visibly displeased, took to the podium with a firm message:
“We are not your cousins we are your in-laws,” he said, echoing sentiments shared widely on social media.
The Kamba community, one of Kenya’s major ethnic groups, has long prided itself on its cultural strength and political independence. For many, Mutua’s comments struck a chord.
Online, opinion remains split. Some say Gachagua’s words were taken out of context and meant to bring communities closer. Others see them as tone-deaf and dismissive, especially in a country where tribal identity still plays a sensitive role in politics.
“It’s not just a joke. Words have weight, especially when they come from leaders,” said Machakos resident Beatrice Mumo. “We’ve fought hard to have our voices heard. This felt like a step backwards.”
As of Wednesday morning, Mr Gachagua had not responded to Mutua’s remarks or issued any statement.
This is not the first time Gachagua’s language has stirred debate. Critics have previously accused him of making casual, off-the-cuff remarks that downplay the complexity of Kenya’s ethnic dynamics.
Mutua, meanwhile, called for “respectful engagement” across political and community lines.
“If we are to build a truly united Kenya,” he said, “we must start by speaking to each other with dignity.”
