The Opposition leaders have condemned use of excessive force by the government through police officers and youth gangs to disrupt political rallies of leaders opposing President William Ruto’s regime.
Speaking during a church service at PCEA Utawala, Nairobi, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i questioned the alleged positioning of goons outside the Kisumu International Airport on Saturday with the aim of disrupting a procession of a political rally led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
He said that the move was an indication of willingness to ignore the rule of law at the expense of upholding the dictates of democracy.
“I never imagined that you would position thugs at an international airport to wait for Members of Parliament. The regional police officer cannot say he does not know who they are. With the resources we have you cannot say you don’t know what is going on,” he said.
DAP-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa echoed his sentiments, urging President Ruto to call his administration to order and tame the rising cases of impunity.
“This senseless loss of lives, use of excessive force by the police and unholy alliance with goons is a total violation of the constitution,” Wamalwa noted.
They were joined by People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper party boss Kalonzo Musyoka.
The Sifuna-led rally held in Kakamega was disrupted by the lobbying of teargas canisters, however not deterring the political top shots from addressing their supporters.
He was flanked by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka among others, who declared that their nationwide mobilisation drive would continue despite political resistance and earlier security concerns.
He also disclosed that they were forced to divert the plane to a different destination after learning that the goons were awaiting them at the Kisumu airport, claiming that their flight itinerary was leaked to the Ministry of Interior.
Western Regional Police Commander Isaak Mahoud earlier said that authorities had not been formally notified about the rally, noting that information about the event had only been obtained through social media.
“There are allegations that tomorrow we will have a rally led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. His faction and team want to make a rally at Amalemba, that is what we got through social media,” Mahoud said on Friday evening.
He emphasized that no official request for police assistance had been made to his office but assured that security would be provided if necessary.
