Africa-Press – Kenya. United Opposition leaders have condemned what they described as escalating politically motivated violence following disruptions to their activities in Kisii town yesterday.
On Tuesday morning, the leaders convened a press conference ahead of their day two of the three-day tour of the Gusii region to call out security agencies for failing to apprehend goons.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused police officers of working under pressure to collaborate with hired gangs to frustrate opposition events.
He warned that the cases of goons being deployed to disrupt their events will be counterproductive, adding that they are documenting incidents of alleged police excesses and warning that officers found culpable would be held accountable under a future administration.
“This administration is putting police under pressure to work with goons, to defend goons and to work goons to disrupt our meetings. The more you disrupt our meetings, the more you harass elected leaders, the stronger this movement becomes,” Gachagua said.
United Opposition leaders addressing a press conference at Carmel Park Hotel, Kisii, on February 24, 2026./ANGWENYI GICHANAHe added; “We have a team recording cases of police brutality and the involvement of goons. Those responsible will face action when a new government takes office. I want to tell William Ruto, you got to power through a popular vote, but somehow you seem to have changed your mind and think that you can get back to power through guns, bullets, teargas and goons. It’s never worked anywhere, not in Africa or in the world.”Wiper Patriotic Front leader and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka warned that police chiefs risk being referred to the International Criminals Court (ICC) under the command responsibility doctrine.
“It’s regrettable that we have any loss of life; one life lost is one too many. It is the responsibility of any government in office to ensure the security and peace of its people but what we are witnessing under the Ruto administration is desperation,” Kalonzo said.
He added; “We want to remind them that Kenya is a signatory to the Rome Statute and International Criminal Court. The issue is very simple; any officer bearing the highest responsibility will be held accountable even before the ICC.”
The leaders described yesterday’s events as unadaptable, with DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa claiming some youths were killed last evening when they attempted to disrupt their rally.
Former Interior Affairs Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i wondered why leaders were resorting to the use of violence to block their opponents from campaigning.
“It is unfortunate that some leaders are resorting to violence to silence others. More than six decades after independence, we should not be losing lives or threatening people over political competition,” Matiang’i said.
He said democracy requires that even when you disagree, you should allow others to express their opinion, adding that citizens should be allowed the freedom to make their own political choices without intimidation.
“We may disagree politically, but that should not be a reason to send people to attack one another. “We have no personal vendettas against anyone. Our engagement with Kenyans is driven by our commitment to democracy and the need for positive transformation,” Matiang’i said.
