Opposition leaders led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka have now accused the government of orchestrating hooliganism and harming innocent Kenyans, instead of safeguarding them.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the opposition leaders decried the increasing trends of what they described as state-sponsored disruptions and abductions.

This comes in the wake of a disturbing rise in politically motivated violence, abductions, and extrajudicial killings across the country.

“Do not be silenced, the repression we face today is not just about politics; it is about the very soul of our nation,” the opposition’s statement read.

“We have repeatedly raised the alarm over the state-enabled culture of impunity, where political hooligans are mobilized to disrupt opposition events violently,” Kalonzo added.

He highlighted the attacks from Busia to Kisumu, and Nairobi to Nyeri saying they are carried out by criminal gangs often shielded or even escorted by security officers.

Among the most chilling accusations from the statement is the murder of two Catholic priests, Fathers John Maina and Aloise Bett, who had reportedly hosted opposition figures.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the murder of two Catholic Priests… We are in solidarity with the Catholic faithful and Kenyans in demanding justice against these heinous crimes.”

The opposition honchos  have called on the international community and Kenyan citizens alike to stand in solidarity and demand justice and reform.

“We urge every citizen, civil society group, religious leader, and international ally to stand in solidarity with us in demanding: an immediate cessation of politically motivated violence, abductions, and extrajudicial killings; accountability for telcos and private actors enabling illegal surveillance; and the protection of constitutional rights,” they added.

 “We would like to remind Mr. Ruto that he is not immune from prosecution for crimes against humanity which includes abductions, torture, forced disappearances, murders, gender-based violence and other crimes.”

Telecommunication firms aiding government

Kalonzo accused key private sector players, especially telecommunications firms of aiding state repression.

 “We call out telecommunication companies, in particular Safaricom, which may have turned a blind eye, or worse, actively collaborated with the regime to surveil, trace, and aid the abduction of citizens,” read the statement, demanding the company publicly disclose the data it has provided to the state.

“Security agencies must affirm their commitment to protecting the rights and privacy of their customers,” Kalonzo added, highlighting the dangerous erosion of public trust in institutions that are meant to safeguard citizen rights.

Kalonzo said that the international legal instruments are invoked to underline the illegality of the ongoing violations. These include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“These legally binding instruments obligate the State to protect, not persecute any of its citizens without exception.”

The leaders warn political and business elites who support or remain silent about the ongoing violence: “History will remember your complicity.”

Press Statement by the United Opposition on the Escalating Human Rights Violations and Political Intolerance in Kenya and the Region. pic.twitter.com/rxBEzsbpDm

— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) May 27, 2025