Duale sails into stormy waters over insulting remarks

The Council of Governors has warned that an intolerance culture which could erode constitutional gains in Kenya is steadily creeping in.

In a statement released by the council on Wednesday, it was regretted that the Jubilee government had made governors' call for a referendum appear like a crime yet it is a constitutional right.

The statement comes after Governor Isaac Rutto and MP Duale nearly had a fist fight on Monday in Narok town after Duale insulted him by saying, 'Hii pesa sio ya mama yako.' That could be translate to this money is not your mother's, with a derogatory tone.

The Governors' Council dismissed Duale's careless utterances and said they were an emerging violation and defilement of family space and values, as well as common decency and public morality.

The council also said that Duale's wild allegations were indeed unfounded lies of misappropriation of funds and fantastic narratives about refusal to account that will not stop their push for a referendum.

The council accused the Jubilee administration of mud-slinging, sidestepping issues and masking them in angry public insults and shameful smear campaigns unbecoming of state officials, instead of deliberating and agreeing on the issues governors have raised.

Meanwhile, former Roads Minister Franklin Bett has decried Aden Duale's tendency of constantly attacking leaders from the Rift Valley region.

Addressing the press in Kericho town on Wednesday, Bett said before the 2007 elections Duale insulted him at every campaign meeting in Kericho and Bomet.

“He has set his foot on another Kalenjin leader and more so a Kipsigis,” he said, "It is most primitive for a leader in this 21st century to insult another infront of members of the public and the Deputy President."

Bett also said that it is not clear why Duale gets away with his insults.

“I want to tell those who are in league with him, big or small, that we will not tolerate this again. Why is he being allowed to continue hurling insults at our leaders?” Bett wondered.

Elders from the Rift Valley region have also rebuked Duale's insult, with one remarking that, if Duale does not respect his mother, he should not believe that other mothers in the country should also be disrespected.

ALSO READ:
Bomet Governor threatens to sue Duale over public accusations