Opposition leaders have raised concern over the country’s security situation, warning that political violence could threaten peaceful elections in 2027.
The leaders cited an incident at a public rally in Embu on Saturday which forced Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to scramble for safety, saying it raised questions about the security of both leaders and ordinary Kenyans.
Led by Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Party leader’s Justin Muturi and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, they urged Kenyans to pray for peace but also condemned the security agencies for what he described as the victimisation of Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji following the incident.
“As leaders we condemn the incident, besieging the home of the MP, surely. We have been told that residents heard there were handouts being issued, so they rushed to the meeting to get their share. That is what brought the chaos. So why point an accusing finger at the MP?” Mr Musyoka posed.
Mr Musyoka said he had previously defended Mr Mukunji as a lawyer when the MP was accused of engaging in terrorism.
“He was arraigned in court and charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act,” Mr Musyoka recalled.
He further questioned the country’s security situation, saying the incident involving the Deputy President demonstrated the vulnerability of senior government officials.
“Let us pray for one another. To be honest, at a time like this, our country is in a bad place. When you see the Deputy President of the Republic running into a forest for safety, you have to ask yourself, where is the security? If the Deputy President runs into a forest for safety, where will an ordinary citizen go?” he posed.
Mr Musyoka also recounted how on Saturday the opposition team was pelted with stones during a tour of Garissa town.
“We had an incident in Garissa, but we were welcomed very well in North Eastern. We are now in the Coast region to talk to Kenyans on the challenges facing this country,” he said.
Use of violence in politics
Meanwhile, Mr Wamalwa said the opposition leaders were determined to continue visiting different parts of the country despite the hostility they encountered in some areas.
“We struggled to enter that county, because this is the team of the United Alternative Government, the first opposition to gain entry in North Eastern. However, the government did not want us to go spread the gospel in North Eastern,” he said.
Mr Wamalwa said the confrontation involving the opposition and the incident in Embu should serve as a warning against the use of violence in politics.
“No one has control over goonism,” Mr Wamalwa said, citing Haiti, where he said political actors had at one point relied on gangs before losing control of them.
“We don’t want to go that road; we want a peaceful country and peaceful elections. Those in government, those who want to ride the tiger of violence, you will end up being consumed yourselves because you will have no control over goonism or violence,” he said.
“We must pray for this country, let us be vessels of peace. We are just 10 months to the general elections. Let all Kenyans democratically elect leaders they want in office,” he said.
He also urged leaders to allow politicians to freely campaign across the country, regardless of their political affiliations.
“Whether you are in two terms or one term, we must be peace ambassadors and elect whoever they want democratically. It is your right. Leaders should also be free to visit any part of this country to seek votes,” Mr Wamalwa said.
At the same time, Mr Muturi said the political environment in the country has become increasingly restrictive, claiming that security officers had surrounded a church where opposition leaders had gone to pray.
“For the first time in the history of the country, a church is being surrounded by armed security officers because opposition leaders have gone to pray,” he said.
“Even during the dark days of the one-party system, it never used to be like that. Kenyans, let us pray to God. Kenyans must be at liberty to hold their views and share them and associate with whomever they want. That is democracy,” Mr Muturi said.
He defended Mr Mukunji, saying the MP should not be blamed for the chaos in Embu.
Mr Muturi claimed that more than 20,000 people had gathered after hearing that money was being distributed at the meeting in Embu.
He urged the government to ensure adequate security for all Kenyans and political leaders as the country prepares for the 2027 elections.
