Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has accused Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua of using ethnic mislabeling as a political weapon to weaken and manipulate marginalized communities.
In a sharply worded statement shared on his social media platforms on Tuesday, June 17, Mutua criticized Gachagua’s reference to the Kamba community as “cousins” of Mt Kenya residents, calling it not only misleading but a calculated form of political gaslighting.
“CALLING US ‘COUSINS’ IS AN INSULT!”
“The Kamba have always been in-laws with our Mt Kenya neighbours, NOT cousins. This mislabeling is a calculated strategy to pacify and exploit us. It’s time we rise, define our agenda, and take our rightful place at the decision-making table,” Mutua stated
Cousin label
Mutua’s statement comes just a day after he addressed grassroots leaders in Kang’undo, Machakos County, where he tore into Gachagua’s rhetoric and leadership track record.
Speaking on Monday, June 16, Mutua dismissed the former DP’s attempt to label the Kamba as cousins of Mt. Kenya communities, saying such language distorts cultural relationships and downplays the community’s political relevance.
“We know who our cousins are. And you, Gachagua, are not our cousin,” Mutua said firmly.
“Mt. Kenya people are not cousins; they are in-laws. That’s our tradition. Don’t mock us.”
Affirming identity
He further defended the Kamba community’s identity, calling them a proud people with deep cultural roots, intelligence, and leadership history.
“You cannot call your in-laws cousins. That is your tradition, not ours. We are intelligent people. We have discipline. We have a tradition,” he stated.
Mutua didn’t stop there; he also used the platform to take jabs at Gachagua’s tenure in government.
“You were sent to work. You failed. You are fired. You drink here and tweet like cousins,” he remarked, mocking Gachagua’s recent public behavior and social media activity.
