The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan has apologized over his controversial remarks he made during a recent party meeting in the Coastal region.

Hassan issued the apology as leaders from Mt. Kenya region accused the ruling party’s secretary general of fueling tribal rhetoric and unnecessarily dragging former President Uhuru Kenyatta into politics.

Despite offering his apology, Hassan maintained that his statements had been deeply misinterpreted and taken out of context.

According to Hassan, his remarks were part of his long-standing, well-documented advocacy concerning land injustices affecting people in the Coast region.

“The remarks in question were made within the context of my long-standing advocacy on historical land injustices affecting the Coastal region, and were never intended to promote division, hostility, or animosity among communities,” Hassan stated.

The UDA Secretary General reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the dignity, rights, and unity of all Kenyans.

He underscored that his regional engagement aimed to find lasting legal and policy solutions for coastal landlessness, which remains a highly sensitive issue in Kenyan politics, as opposed to fueling animosity and division among different communities living in the area.

At the same time, Hassan extended an olive branch to those who felt targeted by his utterances, particularly residents and political actors from Central Kenya region.

Consequently, he expressed sincere regret for the misunderstanding and extended a formal apology to heal the growing rift within the ruling political coalition. 

The apology emerged after a wave of condemnation swept through Mt Kenya’s political leaders, with key leaders firmly drawing a line against what they perceived as ethnic profiling.