Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has called for a shift in Kenya’s ethnic-based political discourse, issuing a public apology to the Luo community for decades of divisive messaging that targeted the Odinga family.
In a statement on X, Kuria reflected on political narratives used over the past 60 years, saying that the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Raila Odinga were repeatedly portrayed as adversaries of the Kikuyu community to mobilise votes in Mt Kenya.
“This approach worked as a tool of political mobilisation, but it was wrong,” Kuria said, describing the practice as harmful to inter-community relations.
He compared the strategy to religious symbolism, noting that while institutions can function without heroes, they often rely on perceived enemies to rally support.
Kuria said this framing created long-standing mistrust between communities and urged Kenyans to avoid repeating it.
Speaking on behalf of the Kikuyu community and Mt Kenya region, Kuria extended an “unqualified and profuse apology” to the Luo nation.
He also stressed that neither former president Uhuru Kenyatta nor the Kikuyu people should be considered opponents of the Luo community, warning against replacing one divisive narrative with another.
Kenya’s electoral history is deeply influenced by ethnic mobilisation, with Nyanza and Mt Kenya often positioned on opposite sides of national contests.
Political campaigns frequently exploit historical grievances to shape voting patterns, a practice Kuria acknowledged has contributed to long-term polarisation.
By highlighting the consequences of framing communities as political adversaries, Kuria’s statement arrives amid ongoing discussions on national unity and inclusive governance.
His remarks underscore the importance of reframing political engagement in a way that fosters dialogue rather than division.
While Kuria did not propose specific mechanisms for reconciliation, his call to end sustained “devil narratives” signals a growing recognition among leaders of the need to prioritise national cohesion over partisan advantage.
The former CS urged Kenyans to focus on constructive political engagement and warned that allowing ethnic stereotypes to dominate politics risks locking future generations into cycles of mistrust and division.