A coordinated crackdown targeting the Opposition unfolded over the weekend as key leaders and their aides were systematically blocked and detained in Meru and Siaya counties ahead of President William Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki’s visits.
Opposition leaders Rigathi Gachagua (Democracy for the Citizens Party), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Democratic Front) and Justin Muturi (Democratic Party) were denied entry to the Methodist Church in Meru on Sunday, while Siaya Governor James Orengo’s bodyguard and eight staffers, including communications and personal assistants, were arrested and held in police stations on Saturday.
Political observers say the timing and scale of the actions indicate a highly orchestrated effort to intimidate opposition voices.
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Photo credit: David Muchui | Nation Media Group
An advance team representing Mr Gachagua, Mr Musyoka and Mr Muturi were blocked by police from attending a church service in Meru where Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was present. Last evening, the Methodist Church denied inviting the leaders to Bishop David Muthuia's ordination at Kaaga Synod in Meru.
The church communication officer, Rev Ben Linguli, said DP Kindiki was among the officially invited guests.
“Only the Deputy President received an official invitation. There was no formal invitation for the opposition leaders. Let them show proof that they were invited,” Rev Linguli said.
The incident came barely hours after several aides of Governor Orengo were arrested in a late-night police operation ahead of President William Ruto’s visit to Siaya.
Governor Orengo is allied to ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino’s faction within the ODM party, which has branded itself Linda Mwananchi. The group has been sharply critical of the emerging political arrangement between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and sections of the ODM leadership aligned to party boss Dr Oburu Oginga.
Political observers say the arrest and detention of aides linked to the Linda Mwananchi faction appear aimed at silencing dissent as the country heads toward a heated political season ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Siaya Governor James Orengo during an interview with Daily Nation at his residence in Ugenya, Siaya County, on February 27, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Mr Sifuna and Mr Owino, who have publicly backed the opposition’s one-term campaign against President William Ruto, have so far not been personally targeted by police.
On Saturday night, Governor Orengo’s bodyguard and several members of his staff were arrested and detained in different police stations in Nairobi and Siaya counties.
Governor Orengo said his bodyguard was arrested in Nairobi at around 7.30pm and taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.
“I have been unable to reach my bodyguard because he is being held incommunicado,” Governor Orengo told the Daily Nation by phone.
Eight other members of his staff, including his communications officer, were also arrested on Saturday evening and are being detained at various police stations in Siaya County.
The newly appointed director of Governor Orengo’s press unit, Mr George Adeya, was arrested in Siaya but later transferred to Kisumu Central Police Station.
The governor said police were also looking for his personal assistant, who had earlier been summoned to record a statement.
He added that some of his aides could not be reached on phone, while another staff member, Eddy Ogola, was arrested at his home in Uyoma, Rarieda, before being driven to Kisumu and later detained in Vihiga County.
Governor Orengo linked the arrests to President Ruto’s visit to Siaya on Sunday. The President attended the homecoming ceremony of Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga in Uyoma, Rarieda Constituency.
“I am not sure what the government is afraid of. The President has the right to come to Siaya, but that does not give him a licence to order arbitrary arrests. The police are under strict instructions not to release them until Sunday evening after the President’s event in Siaya,” said Mr Orengo.
He said the actions by the government were taking the country back more than 30 years, noting that he had experienced similar political repression in the past.
The governor demanded their immediate release, describing the arrests as an affront to human and constitutional rights.
“This conduct by the police has no place in a constitutional democracy. I demand their release. This is meant to intimidate and harass us, but it will not deter us from continuing with our cause,” he said.
Meanwhile, a political showdown played out at Kaaga Methodist Church in Meru after opposition leaders were barred from attending the ordination of Kaaga Bishop David Muthuia Mwiti, an event attended by Deputy President Kindiki.
In a joint statement, the leaders accused the Deputy President of using security agencies to block them from attending the service.
Siaya Governor James Orengo addresses a Linda Mwananchi political rally at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega on February 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
On Friday, pro-government youths barricaded the Meru–Embu road for more than an hour in an attempt to block the opposition leaders from entering Meru town during a tour aimed at rallying support in the region.
The opposition has used the tour to challenge Deputy President Kindiki’s political influence in the Mt Kenya region, claiming the area was shifting toward the opposition.
Tension remained high at the church on Sunday after it emerged that the rival political camps could share the same podium.
Police escorted the opposition’s advance team out of the church compound as they attempted to set up their sound system.
Their communications team, led by Paloma Gatabaki, had secured seats in a tent opposite the one occupied by the Deputy President before police ordered them to leave.
“We have been evicted from the church, yet we were invited. The police have told us we are not allowed,” Ms Gatabaki said.
The opposition leaders later moved to Njotene EAPC Church, where they accused the Deputy President of ordering police to block them from worshipping.
“The Deputy President is bitter because of the success of our meetings here in Meru. That is why he sent police to block us from going to church,” he said.
In a statement read by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the United Alternative Government accused the Deputy President of violating constitutional rights.
“The police, acting under direct instructions from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, physically blocked our entry. This is a deliberate, calculated and unconstitutional act of political repression carried out on a Sunday morning in a house of God. That is the conduct of a regime so gripped by fear of the people’s voice that it cannot even permit them to pray together,” Mr Musyoka said.
Addressing the congregation, the Deputy President warned politicians against politicising religious gatherings.
“We must respect the church, which is a place of worship. Politicians should play their politics out there. I do not want to see a repeat of what has happened here today,” Prof Kindiki said.
Later, while addressing crowds at Makutano alongside Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma and several MPs, the Deputy President warned the opposition of a tough political battle ahead.
“The opposition leaders must be respectful when they come to Meru. Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka have nothing to show for the time they served as deputy presidents. As Deputy President, I have lobbied for multi-billion-shilling projects for Meru,” he said.
He also criticised Mr Gachagua over what he described as sustained political attacks against his office.
“Mr Gachagua has not heeded my calls to respect the office of the Deputy President. Let him be warned that I will floor him in any political contest,” Prof Kindiki said.
