Opposition Leaders Slam Ruto Government Over Kilgoris Killings and IEBC Concerns

NAIROBI, April 29, 2025 — A coalition of opposition leaders has strongly condemned what they describe as an alarming rise in extrajudicial killings, illegal land takeovers, and democratic backsliding under President William Ruto’s administration.

In a hard-hitting joint statement issued in Nairobi, the leaders—including Martha Karua, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, and others—called out the government following the killing of five people during a violent land dispute in Kilgoris, Transmara West.

Read: Gachagua Criticizes President Ruto, Calls Him a One-Term President

According to the leaders, the clash—between residents and GSU officers over a 6,800-acre parcel of land—reflects a disturbing trend of state-enabled land grabs and violent evictions.

“This tragedy is not an isolated incident. It mirrors recent forced displacements in Mavoko, Nairobi, and Ndabibi,” the statement read. “What we’re seeing is a coordinated effort to dispossess Kenyans of their ancestral and private lands.”

Land Grabbing and Police Brutality

The opposition accused the government of working hand-in-hand with land fraud cartels, protected by armed police, to forcibly displace communities. They warned that these actions could amount to crimes against humanity and vowed to escalate the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

They also had a sharp message for Kenya’s security forces.

“Your allegiance is to the people of Kenya, not any political regime,” the leaders stated, calling on the police and military to uphold constitutional values rather than act as “instruments of oppression.”

BBC’s #BloodParliament Documentary Fuels Outrage

The statement referenced the explosive BBC investigation, #BloodParliament, which aired earlier this month. The documentary alleges that a covert “killer squad” linked to security agencies carried out executions of peaceful protestors during the June 2024 demonstrations.

Read:Ruto’s ID Directive Sparks Rift: Natembeya Under Fire, Ruweida Demands DCI Probe

According to the opposition, some Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were deployed with “shoot to kill” orders even before their deployment had been officially gazetted.

Accountability Bodies “Compromised”

Oversight institutions like the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) came under fire, with the opposition accusing them of abandoning their roles and participating in cover-ups.

“Kenyans no longer trust these institutions,” they declared. “An independent commission—including non-state actors—is needed to investigate and hold rogue officers accountable.”

IEBC Selection Under Scrutiny

The opposition also raised serious concerns over the ongoing recruitment process for the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

While the selection panel has completed interviews, the leaders questioned the transparency and credibility of the process and demanded broader consultation before any appointments are made.

“The government cannot consult itself and call it consensus,” the statement read. “A flawed commission will only sow doubt ahead of the 2027 elections.”

“Ruto Must Go” Gaining Momentum

Concluding their statement, the leaders warned that the public’s trust in President Ruto is fast eroding.

“The chants of #RutoMustGo are growing louder. If things continue this way, he’s likely to be Kenya’s first one-term president.”

They vowed to resist what they described as “tyranny in all its forms” and called on all Kenyans to remain vigilant and defend the Constitution

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