NAIROBI, Kenya —In a statement, Kenya’s leading opposition figures have condemned the continued extrajudicial killings and violent land dispossession under President William Ruto’s administration.
The remarks, issued on Tuesday, come after the brutal killings of five individuals during a violent clash between residents and General Service Unit (GSU) officers in Kiligoris, Transmara West Subcounty.
The confrontation was sparked by a dispute over 6,800 acres of land that local residents claim as historically owned by their community.
The opposition leaders have accused the Ruto government of exacerbating a nationwide crisis involving land fraud and displacement, facilitated by corrupt networks within the police force and the judiciary.
“This is not an isolated incident but part of a systematic effort to illegally seize private and community land,” said a joint statement from the leaders.
Among the prominent figures in the opposition, Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Rigathi Gachagua raised alarms over the administration’s unchecked abuse of power, with Karua denouncing the ongoing government-sponsored violence that has seen Kenyan citizens wrongfully dispossessed of their lands.
“The actions of the Ruto regime are nothing short of crimes against humanity,” Karua emphasized.
The opposition’s statement referenced previous land disputes, including the notorious Mavoko, Nairobi, and Ndabibi land issues, which have led to mass displacements and clashes with security forces.
The leaders also warned of the growing alliance between powerful land syndicates and government forces, undermining the rule of law and trampling on Kenyans’ constitutional rights to land and property.
Ruto’s administration, which assumed power in 2022, is accused of using state violence and a complicit police force to forcibly evict locals from their ancestral lands.
Karua, Musyoka, and Gachagua also pointed to the violent suppression of peaceful protests during the 2024 Finance Bill demonstrations, including the deaths of over 60 protesters, which they allege were executed by a rogue “killer squad” within the police force.
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE OPPOSITION ON CONTINUED EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS IN KENYA AND THE IEBC
The BBC’s documentary Blood Parliament, which details the execution-style killings of protesters by police officers on June 25, 2024, has renewed calls for justice.
The film highlighted the role of specific security officers, including a senior officer, Job Kaboi, who allegedly directed the killings.
The documentary has garnered over 2.3 million views on YouTube, sparking global outrage and leading to intensified demands for accountability.
The opposition also slammed the country’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for its failure to hold any officers accountable for the killings.
IPOA’s chairman, Issack Hassan, acknowledged the challenges in investigating police misconduct but reiterated that 22 out of 60 deaths had been investigated, with 36 others still under investigation.
“We demand an independent commission to investigate and hold the rogue officers accountable,” stated Kalonzo Musyoka.
Moreover, the opposition leaders condemned the ongoing deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) for what they termed as illegal military intervention in civilian matters, particularly highlighting the fact that KDF officers were allegedly given “shoot-to-kill” orders before their official deployment was even authorized.
“This administration is dismantling Kenya’s democratic safeguards,” said Gachagua. “Ruto is leading the country into a dangerous abyss with no regard for human life, rule of law, or the Constitution.”
The opposition has also expressed concerns over the current recruitment process for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), urging for a more inclusive and credible selection process.
The leaders demanded that the final list of IEBC commissioners be subject to consultations with all political parties to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We will not stand idly by as this regime drags Kenya into further darkness,” said Musyoka. “Justice must prevail, and accountability must be enforced.”
The opposition has vowed to continue their efforts to resist what they term as a “tyrannical regime” and to protect the rights of every Kenyan, regardless of the cost.
