United Opposition Accuses Government of Sponsoring Political Violence, Vows to Make Ruto a One-Term President

By Our Reporter Violet Kerubo

Leaders of the United Alternative Government have accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of tolerating and enabling political violence, following Sunday’s chaotic events at a church service in Kisumu attended by members of the Linda Mwananchi movement and opposition leaders.

Speaking at a joint press briefing at Hermosa Hotel in Karen on Tuesday, principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua and Justin Muturi condemned what they described as a growing trend of attacks targeting opposition leaders and their supporters at places of worship.

The leaders alleged that groups of young people, including boda boda riders, were being mobilized to disrupt opposition events, and called on President William Ruto’s administration to end what they termed the use of “goons” for political purposes.

They urged the National Police Service and other security agencies to remain professional and fulfil their constitutional mandate of protecting all Kenyans regardless of their political affiliation. The opposition leaders further claimed that senior government officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, were aware of incidents in which worship centres had allegedly become targets of political disruption.

The leaders warned against what they described as the normalization of political violence, saying the government should focus on safeguarding national unity instead of allowing the country to slide into what they termed a “state of goonism.”

On the forthcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, the opposition called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to remain impartial and strictly enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct. They urged the commission to conduct a free, fair and credible election without interference from any political side, emphasizing that elections are temporary but Kenya’s stability must remain paramount.

Kalonzo Musyoka also claimed that President Ruto was attempting to undermine the credibility of opinion polls, particularly those conducted by Infotrak, alleging this was driven by fears of losing the next General Election.

Martha Karua appealed to Kenyans to reject political violence and resist being recruited to intimidate fellow citizens. She also challenged police officers to discharge their duties independently and professionally without yielding to unlawful directives from their superiors.

The opposition leaders said the formation of the United Alternative Government is intended to provide Kenyans with an alternative leadership agenda, adding that one of their political objectives is to ensure President William Ruto serves only one term while advancing what they described as a vision for a more democratic, peaceful and accountable Kenya.