Wamuzi News Ke
Shockwaves today as Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua publicly denounced former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s now‑viral “Hi Cousins” slogan—labeling it divisive and insulting to the intelligence and culture of Kenyan communities.
Mutua delivered a scathing rebuke during a high-profile public event, accusing Gachagua of exploiting familial rhetoric to manipulate voters and inflame regional tensions.
“You are calling us cousins as if we are children… we are not your cousins,” Mutua declared, urging immediate apology and calling on Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to counsel Gachagua on showing proper respect.
He criticized the phrase as infantilizing and cautioned that such slogans risk undermining Kenya’s ethnic harmony. “How many times have you heard someone refer to their in-laws as cousins?” he challenged, stressing that intelligent, culturally-rooted Kenyans deserve better than paternalistic platitudes.
Political Reaction Mounts
Mutua’s remarks come just days after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula voiced similar concerns. In a Kitui press engagement on Friday, June 13, 2025, Wetang’ula cautioned that the cousin narrative could polarize the nation along ethnic lines, and implicitly targeted Gachagua in his warning.
The Speaker also advised Kalonzo Musyoka not to be swayed by Kenya Kwanza overtures, urging independence in choosing alliances—recalling that “your friends are not necessarily someone’s friends”
Kalonzo Fires Back
In a bold move, Kalonzo dismissed speculations of him shifting allegiance, calling such narratives “diversionary” and accused hawkish figures of harboring “Gen Z blood” through links to Albert Ojwang’s tragic death—a dig at Gachagua’s camp. He reaffirmed his commitment to the opposition, declaring “Kenyans know the truth…”
What This Means for the 2027 Elections
- Ethnic unity at risk: Political commentators warn that reliance on familial slogans like “cousins” could deepen regional faultlines.
- Shifting allegiances: With Raila, Wetang’ula, Kalonzo, and now Mutua speaking out, cracks are emerging across both Kenya Kwanza and United Opposition camps.
- Pressure on Gachagua: The former DP faces growing calls—from within and outside his bloc—to withdraw the “cousins” slogan and apologize.
Why This Matters
- SEO Hot Keywords: Alfred Mutua Gachagua cousins, Kenyan politics breaking news, Mutua slams Gachagua 2025
- National stakes: Kenya is entering a sensitive election cycle. Messaging that undermines ethnic cohesion or treats citizens as naïve could be disastrous.
- Public sentiment: This marks a significant escalation: from subtle critique to full-frontal political warfare. Expect this debate to dominate headlines—and voters’ minds.
TL;DR: Labour CS Alfred Mutua unleashed a blistering attack on Gachagua’s “Hi Cousins” slogan, branding it disrespectful and politically manipulative. With echoes from Speaker Wetang’ula and defiant counter-claims from Kalonzo, this is fast becoming a high-stakes flashpoint in Kenya’s simmering pre-election landscape.
