United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Hassan Omar issued a public apology on May 25, 2026 [1], following backlash over alleged ethnic remarks.

The incident highlights the volatility of ethnic politics in Kenya, where remarks targeting specific regions can trigger significant political instability and public outcry.

The apology followed a sharp condemnation from Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru. Waiguru said the remarks constituted ethnic baiting and were designed to be divisive, specifically targeting the Mt Kenya region [1], [4]. The governor said Omar spewed ethnic hatred, which prompted the UDA official to address the controversy [4].

Omar's comments sparked immediate reactions across political circles in Nairobi. The backlash centered on the perception that the Secretary General was utilizing ethnic divisions for political leverage, a practice that frequently draws scrutiny from human rights monitors and government officials.

While the specific wording of the original remarks was not detailed in the apology, the reaction from the Mt Kenya leadership forced a rapid reversal from the UDA leadership. Omar's decision to apologize on May 25, 2026 [1], suggests an attempt to mitigate further damage to the party's standing within the region.

The tension between Omar and Waiguru underscores the internal and external pressures facing the United Democratic Alliance as it navigates regional alliances. The speed of the apology indicates the high political cost of ethnic rhetoric in the current climate.

“Hassan Omar issued a public apology on May 25, 2026”

This incident reflects the fragile nature of regional coalitions in Kenya. When high-ranking party officials are perceived to alienate key voting blocs like the Mt Kenya region, it creates a liability for the party's national stability. The rapid apology suggests that the UDA prioritizes regional cohesion over the individual rhetoric of its officers to avoid systemic political fractures.