"Hakuna Msamaha" Mt Kenya UDA Leaders Responds To Omar's Apology, Puts More Pressure to Ruto

Pressure is continuing to pile on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar after controversial remarks he allegedly made about historical land injustices at the Coast triggered sharp reactions from leaders in the Mt Kenya region.

The political storm erupted after Omar reportedly linked “the founding father of the nation and his son” to historical land grabbing claims at the Coast while calling for legal action against individuals allegedly involved in illegal acquisition of land.

His remarks immediately sparked outrage among several Mt Kenya politicians allied to President William Ruto, who accused him of promoting ethnic hostility and attempting to divide Kenyans along regional lines.

Although Omar later issued an apology, leaders from the region have rejected it, insisting that the comments were deliberate and cannot simply be brushed aside.

Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi was among the first leaders to demand decisive action against the UDA Secretary General. According to the legislator, Omar’s statements have placed pro-government leaders from Mt Kenya in a politically difficult position.

“We will write to the party leader and the UDA leadership so that he can be removed from office. Other leaders who made offensive remarks in the past resigned, and the honorable thing for Hassan Omar to do is to resign,” Wamumbi stated.

The MP further argued that President William Ruto should not carry the political burden created by Omar’s remarks.

“The President should not be blamed for Hassan Omar’s statements. He alone should carry the burden of his remarks,” he added.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also weighed into the matter, strongly rejecting Omar’s apology and accusing him of attempting to incite Kenyans against the Mt Kenya community.

“We completely reject Hassan Omar’s attempt to apologize for inciting Kenyans against the people of Mt Kenya,” Gachagua said.

Sources within UDA now indicate that a section of Mt Kenya leaders is preparing to formally petition President Ruto and the party leadership to take disciplinary action against Omar.

Meanwhile, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has reportedly launched investigations into the alleged hate speech remarks.

Religious leaders and civil society groups have also condemned the statements, warning politicians against reviving ethnic tensions at a time when the country is pushing for national unity and peaceful political engagement ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Political analysts now believe the controversy could further complicate President Ruto’s efforts to consolidate support in the Mt Kenya region, where political temperatures have already been rising following growing disagreements within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

As pressure continues to mount, attention is now shifting to whether the UDA leadership will stand by Hassan Omar or bow to demands from influential Mt Kenya leaders calling for his resignation or removal from office.