NAIROBI, Kenya—Jan 30, 2026—The United Opposition has formally petitioned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over what they describe as systematic targeting of opposition leaders and supporters by security agencies.
The meeting at the National Police Service headquarters saw opposition leaders, including Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua,
Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, present their grievances.
Since November 2024, the opposition claims over twenty-three violent incidents have targeted their members, including political convoys, party events, funerals, and church services.
The most severe incident occurred on January 26, 2026, at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, where police officers, allegedly accompanied by hired thugs, teargassed worshippers, set vehicles ablaze, and injured civilians, including women and children. The intended target was the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking after the meeting, Kalonzo Musyoka said, “We cannot and will not accept a police service weaponised to intimidate, attack, or attempt to assassinate elected leaders. The people of Kenya must not live in fear of those sworn to protect them.”
The opposition has given the IG until February 16, 2026, to ensure that those responsible for these attacks are arrested and held accountable. They warned that failure to act will prompt escalation to the international community and Kenya’s development partners.
Gachagua also cautioned the police against disrupting opposition meetings, political gatherings, or worship activities, describing any interference as “state-sanctioned criminality.”
He reiterated that the opposition would not remain silent as goons operate under police supervision, warning of nationwide mobilisation to defend citizens’ constitutional rights ahead of the 2027 general elections.
IG Kanja received the petition and reiterated the Service’s political neutrality. He urged the opposition leaders to cooperate with the police in reporting incidents officially, promising to look into the concerns raised.
The United Opposition emphasized that justice, accountability, and protection of constitutional rights remain their top priorities, vowing to pursue all available legal and political avenues to prevent further violations.
