Duale, Jeff Koinange Trade Barbs Over ‘Hyena’ Remarks During Building Collapse Discussion

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and veteran journalist Jeff Koinange revisited the controversy surrounding the CS’s “hyena” remarks during a discussion about building collapses in Eastleigh and South C, Nairobi.

The exchange took place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, when Koinange questioned Duale about the people behind the buildings that had collapsed in the two neighbourhoods and whether they were related to the Cabinet Secretary.

“Is it your cousins who are building?” Koinange asked.

“No, the ones in Eastleigh are not my cousins, they are your cousins,” Duale responded.

The CS explained that he had initially believed the people involved in the construction were his relatives but had changed his position after conducting what he described as due diligence.

“They are Kenyans, but for now, the ones in South C were my cousins; the ones in Eastleigh are your cousins. First, I thought they were my cousins, but after my due diligence, I found out they were your cousins. They must be from Kiambu,” Duale said.

Koinange revisits Duale’s ‘hyena’ controversy

Koinange seized on the remarks to revisit the controversy surrounding Duale’s previous use of the word “hyena”, asking whether the CS was referring to the people behind the buildings using the same expression.

“So you’re saying they are hyenas? Because you called us hyena,” Koinange remarked.

Duale denied calling Koinange a hyena and countered by bringing up the nickname “Kasongo”, which critics have used to refer to President William Ruto.

“I didn’t call you hyena, but you also called the President Kasongo. Kasongo means warthog, so you have called the President warthog for two years. So you have the luxury to call us warthog, but you don’t want to be called hyena,” Duale said.

The exchange prompted laughter as the two continued discussing the controversy and the building collapses.

How Duale’s ‘hyena’ remarks sparked backlash

Duale previously faced criticism over remarks he made during a public address in Lafey Constituency, Mandera County, on July 20, 2026.

His comments included a reference to a hyena, which some leaders interpreted as targeting the Kikuyu community, prompting criticism and calls for accountability over language considered potentially divisive.

Duale defended himself, maintaining that his remarks had been taken out of context and were not intended to demean any ethnic community.

During Sunday’s discussion, Koinange brought the issue back into focus, prompting the CS to draw a comparison with the use of “Kasongo” to refer to the President.

The exchange highlighted the continuing sensitivity surrounding political language and the use of animal names in public exchanges.

Eastleigh and South C building collapses under scrutiny

The discussion came amid renewed scrutiny of construction safety following a building collapse in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on Friday, October 23, 2026.

The incident prompted rescue operations and raised questions about construction standards, building approvals and the enforcement of safety regulations.

The two also referred to a separate building collapse in South C on January 2, 2026, which raised concerns about compliance with approved building plans and oversight of construction projects.