United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Hassan Omar was compelled to clarify his recent statements and issue an apology on Sunday, May 24, following mounting political pressure over comments related to ethnic politics that have sparked widespread controversy.
Through a statement released on Sunday, Omar indicated that his remarks had been misconstrued and removed from their intended context, maintaining that they were never meant to belittle, offend, or single out any particular community.
Omar affirmed that throughout his professional journey, he has consistently dedicated himself to promoting the unity, dignity, and rights of all Kenyan citizens.
“His comments were never intended to demean, offend, or target any community,” he emphasized.
“Throughout my public career, I have steadfastly remained dedicated to preserving the dignity, rights, and unity of all Kenyans. The statements in question were made in the context of my persistent advocacy concerning historical land injustices impacting the Coastal region, and were never meant to instigate division, hostility, or animosity among different communities,” he elaborated.
Nevertheless, he recognized that certain leaders and members of the public, particularly those from Central Kenya, may have felt offended by his statements, expressing remorse for the resulting misunderstanding.
“To all who may have been offended,” the statement partially read.
The statement followed pressure exerted on the UDA Secretary General from leaders across the political spectrum, who accused him of inciting ethnic division, which they believed could potentially destabilize the country in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
Those who publicly criticized Omar included Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, who accused him of practicing ethnic baiting and employing divisive language.
Waiguru further cautioned against what she described as efforts to segregate communities based on ethnic lines, asserting that such narratives jeopardize national unity and democratic stability, while calling for Omar to apologize.
“I firmly oppose the Hassan Omar style of ethnic baiting that aims to isolate the people of Mount Kenya. He owes our nation an apology,” Waiguru declared in a statement issued on Sunday, May 24.
Additional leaders, particularly from the Mount Kenya region, also publicly challenged the former senator, demanding an apology. These leaders included Naivasha MP Jane Kihara and other opposition figures.
The controversy originated from Omar’s comments made during a rally in the coastal region where government officials were present.
Omar purportedly accused the Mount Kenya community and their representatives, notably former President Uhuru Kenyatta, of instigating a recent public transport strike rather than addressing fundamental economic concerns, a position that did not resonate well with the public.
“It’s not that we lack knowledge. We have been enduring hardship while you oppressed us as we observed. We bear no ill will toward anyone, but you cannot continually display arrogance and pride toward us. We also received education; we are not unintelligent or indolent,” Omar stated.
Lawmakers contend that Omar’s statements unfairly target a community that overwhelmingly supported President William Ruto and the UDA party during the 2022 General Election.