Opposition Leaders Condemn Intimidation, Vow to Defend Democracy

Katelembo, Machakos – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka have accused President William Ruto’s administration of using intimidation tactics against opposition figures and places of worship, warning that such moves will not silence dissent.

Speaking during the burial ceremony of Reverend Joseph Nzola in Machakos County, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to defending democratic values and constitutional freedoms. They took particular issue with a recent incident in Mwiki, Nairobi, where unknown individuals disrupted a church service allegedly linked to Gachagua.

“Sending armed goons into a church is beyond political rivalry—it is sacrilege,” Gachagua said, claiming the attack was politically motivated. “Even during crises, people look to the church for refuge. No one has the right to defile that sanctuary.”

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Gachagua painted a bleak picture of the nation’s governance, claiming institutions like Parliament had been compromised and that only the church remained as a viable voice for the people. “If the clergy don’t speak up, who will? Nature abhors a vacuum,” he said, urging religious leaders not to retreat from matters of national importance.

He further criticized what he termed the government’s intolerance to dissent, referencing the crackdown on a controversial school play, “Echoes of War,” by students at Butere Girls High School. Gachagua contrasted the current administration’s actions with those of past regimes, which he said tolerated satire and critical art.

Kalonzo Musyoka echoed Gachagua’s sentiments, urging the state to stop targeting opposition leaders. He called the Mwiki church incident an assassination attempt cloaked as political disruption.

“We have not even mobilized or called for mass action, yet we are seeing signs of panic,” said Kalonzo. “Everyone, including Gachagua, has a constitutional right to speak and worship freely. If this continues, we may have no option but to take to the streets.”

Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa also weighed in, accusing the government of gambling with the country’s future by implementing policies not grounded in research. “Policy driven by guesswork is dangerous—it gambles with people’s lives,” he warned.

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Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti called for respect towards religious institutions. “The church must be allowed to operate freely. We should not allow politics to poison such sacred spaces,” she said.

Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi hinted at a broader political movement building toward 2027, expressing support for a coalition led by Gachagua, Kalonzo, and Wamalwa. “What we lack is credible leadership. These leaders can steer us to a new era,” he stated.

The remarks come at a time when tensions between the government and opposition appear to be intensifying, raising questions about the state of political tolerance and the health of Kenya’s democracy

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