By Neville Oduor
The United Opposition in Kenya, comprising leaders like Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and Saitoti Torome, issued a searing press statement today, condemning the escalating human rights violations under President William Ruto’s administration.
The statement addresses recent violent incidents, including the murders of two Catholic priests, demanding immediate action to restore justice and democratic freedoms.
The opposition expressed grave concern, stating, “We, the United Opposition, stand before the people of Kenya and the international community, gravely alarmed by the heightened descent of our beloved nation into a state of repression, lawlessness, and political persecution.”
They highlighted the abduction of Hon. George Koimburi, noting, “Most shocking was the brazen abduction of the Member of Parliament for Juja Constituency, Hon. George Koimburi, who was forcibly taken by unidentified assailants on Sunday, only to be later found tortured and dumped in a coffee plantation, fighting for his life.”
This incident, they warned, reflects a “chilling trend where elected leaders and citizens aligned with the opposition are being systematically targeted to silence dissent.”
The statement also addressed violence in Kakamega, where a gathering “quickly turned into a warzone, as police deployed excessive force, including live ammunition, to disperse opposition supporters.”
The opposition condemned this as a “cruel pattern,” citing similar events in Bungoma, which they say “represents a dangerous erosion of the right to assemble, as enshrined in Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya.”
Additionally, they referenced the recent murders of Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett in Kerio Valley and Father John Maina in Igwamiti Parish, linking these killings to a broader wave of violence against dissenting voices.
Signed by the opposition leaders, the statement calls for the cessation of politically motivated violence, accountability for security forces, and protection of constitutional rights.
Public reactions vary, with some demanding rallies, while others question the opposition’s focus. This unified stance underscores a critical push for justice amid Kenya’s deepening human rights crisis.