Wajir East Member of Parliament Aden Daud has publicly criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for comments he made linking alleged fraud in Minnesota, United States, to business and political activities in Kenya. In a statement on Monday, Daud described the remarks as reckless, divisive, and potentially harmful to national unity, accusing Gachagua of ethnic profiling and of singling out the Somali community without evidence.
Gachagua sparked controversy recently when he suggested that funds fraudulently obtained in Minnesota had been brought into Kenya and used to finance commercial projects, including the construction of shopping malls, as well as political campaigns. The former deputy president also went further, urging foreign intervention and urging authorities abroad to expedite investigations and extraditions related to the matter.
Daud, however, took strong issue with these assertions, arguing that portraying entire communities as complicit in criminal activity is both irresponsible and dangerous. He warned that such claims risk reigniting ethnic tensions in Kenya, a nation that has worked hard to promote peaceful coexistence among its diverse population.
“These allegations amount to dangerous ethnic profiling and have no place in a democratic society governed by the rule of law,” Daud said, emphasising that any alleged wrongdoing, whether committed locally or abroad, should be addressed through established legal processes without generalising blame to whole communities.
The MP also highlighted the important role that Somali Kenyans play in the country’s economic landscape, pointing to legitimate investments and successful business ventures as evidence of their contribution to national development. He said framing business success as criminality undermines entrepreneurship and threatens social harmony.
Daud further recalled what he described as a pattern of ethnically charged rhetoric from Gachagua, which he said contributed to the former leader’s impeachment by Parliament in October 2024. He said past statements from Gachagua appeared to inject divisive narratives into national discourse, and he expressed concern that the latest comments would deepen mistrust and alienation among different ethnic groups.
In urging leaders to act responsibly, Daud called on Gachagua to abandon what he described as a divisive path and to consider the impact of his words on Kenya’s delicate social fabric. He appealed to all political figures to prioritise unity in their public engagements, reminding them that the country’s strength lies in its diversity and shared commitment to peace.
“Kenya belongs to all of us, and we must guard it jealously against those who seek to fracture it for narrow political gain,” Daud said, stressing the need for sober and fact‑based leadership that uplifts rather than divides.
He also urged relevant authorities to remain vigilant against statements that could amount to incitement or threaten the stability and cohesion that Kenya has worked hard to achieve. Daud’s remarks reflect rising concern among some leaders that inflammatory rhetoric could undermine national progress, particularly in a period of heightened political activity ahead of future electoral cycles.
In summary, the Wajir East legislator’s response underscores the importance of responsible public discourse and of addressing allegations through lawful and impartial channels, rather than through broad assertions that risk deepening ethnic divides.
Image by Swala Nyeti
