Kenya High Court clears petition over Aden Duale ‘hyena’ remarks

The High Court of Kenya has cleared a constitutional petition against Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to proceed to a full hearing. The case stems from controversial remarks Duale allegedly made on July 20, 2026, in Lafey Constituency, where he was accused of likening the Kikuyu community to ‘hyenas’ while speaking in Somali.

Petitioners Lempaa Suyianka and Gitahi Gichuki are seeking a court declaration that Duale is unfit to hold public office, arguing his comments violated Chapter Six of the Constitution regarding the integrity of State officers. Duale’s legal team has defended the remarks as a figurative Somali proverb taken out of context, and his previous attempt to delay proceedings pending a National Cohesion and Integration Commission investigation was dismissed by Justice David Mburu.

In a recent discussion with journalist Jeff Koinange, Duale revisited the controversy. During a conversation regarding building collapses in Eastleigh and South C, Duale denied calling Koinange a hyena, instead pointing to the use of the nickname ‘Kasongo’—meaning warthog—to refer to President William Ruto.