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United Opposition seeks meeting with IG Kanja, cites 24 attacks since November 2024
United Opposition leaders after meeting in Nairobi to chart the way forward for opposition unity.
The United Opposition has written to the Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, seeking a January 30 meeting over what they said were persistent attacks against them in the past year.
Bearing the brunt of the attacks is Mr Rigathi Gachagua, whom the opposition says since his impeachment as Deputy President in October 2024, has been attacked not less than 24 times.
The letter signed by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party leader Cleophas Malala states the purpose of the visit as to officially raise serious complaints and engage in discussions on the way forward regarding the safety and security of opposition leaders and their supporters.
The letter cites the most recent attack against Mr Gachagua on January 25, 2026 at Witima Anglican church in Othaya constituency, Nyeri county.
"Goons and Police torched Mr Gachagua's vehicles, damaged several other vehicles and lobbed teargas in the church, in the process harming women, children and the clergy within the church," he wrote.
He said the visit has been prompted by sustained attacks, harassment, intimidation, and violations of rights directed at opposition leaders and their supporters across the country.
"These incidents have been reported to various police stations and relevant commands; however, to date, no investigations, updates, or corrective actions have been communicated or undertaken by the National Police Service," it reads in part.
Mr Malala said the delegation to Mr Kanja's office will have Mr Gachagua, People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Wiper Patriotic Front's Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee Deputy Parry leader Dr Fred Matiang'i, Democracy Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) boss Eugene Wamalwa, Justin Muturi of the Democratic Party (DP) and politician Omingo Magara.
"Given that the constitutional mandate of the National Police Service is to provide security impartially and protect all citizens regardless of political affiliation, the opposition leadership considers it necessary to seek direct engagement with your office to address these concerns and agree on appropriate remedial measures," the letter tells Mr Kanja.
Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya, who is also a principal in the United Opposition said: "I will not be in the delegation because of the nature of my position now, but I stand in total solidarity with the cause, agenda and derivatives of that meeting".
Organised gangs and police
Mr Natembeya added: "I fully share the grave concerns about the violence being unleashed our way by an intolerant governor that believes having a 2027 General Election edge is through application of violence, murder and persecution against dissenters".
The letter lists 23 other incidents beginning with the November 28, 2024 attack at a Funeral Service in Limuru, Kiambu county where "Mr Gachagua was attacked by organised criminal gangs under police supervision".
On December 28, 2024 in Shamata village in Nyandarua County, "a police officer flanked by organized criminal gangs threw a tear gas canister at our cars and at our supporters".
The letter lists the January 18, 2025 incident at Kamukunji grounds in Nyeri Town where at a prayer rally attended by Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, the spouse to Mr Gachagua, was ambushed.
It adds that "on May 13, 2025, during the unveiling of the DCP party in Lavington Nairobi, goons caused mayhem and attacked party members and on May 24, 2025 during the homecoming of DCP Deputy Party Leader there was disruption by Police in Kakamega".
The letter cites the July 27, 2025, incident in Murang'a County "where goons and police violently attacked several opposition leaders using live ammunition", among other incidents.
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