A group of former political prisoners has called on Raila Odinga’s opposition faction to withdraw from the broad-based government, arguing this would pave the way for forming a new administration.  

The group – including prominent figures such as Oginga Kawino, Wafula Buke, Kiongo Maina, Oduor Ong’wen, Ngotho Kariuki and James Maina – delivered their message through lawyer Gitobu Imanyara.

The former detainees argue that the Kenya Kwanza administration has effectively suspended the Constitution and is steering the country back toward the dictatorial practices of the Moi era.

In their strongly worded statement, they asserted that a regime that has committed crimes to this degree has no business remaining in power.

Alternative solutions

“I think the Ruto administration should have the courage to just step aside and give Kenyans a chance to administer themselves,” said Buke.

“Comrades who have maybe tried to see whether they can work in this regime should also reconsider their position.”

Buke also questioned the opposition’s participation in government, asking: “Why should our opposition have a joint team in managing our affairs when the other parties end of the bargain?  

“I also think that it’s our duty to appeal to comrades who are working with the Ruto administration to basically disengage them to give Kenyans a chance to really choose a new administration.”

The group contends that the Kenya Kwanza administration remains in office primarily because of support from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

They believe that if ODM withdraws from the government, Kenyans could begin seeking alternative solutions.

“I also want to appeal that this government deny the support that it’s getting from patriotic people so that we can create the necessary situation for us to be empowered to form a new government,” Buke added.

The former prisoners’ statements appear to be motivated by the controversial death of Albert Ojwang in the cells at Nairobi’s Central Police Station.

They drew stark comparisons between the treatment they endured during the Moi era and what government critics currently face under President Ruto’s administration.

Past and present repression

Paradoxically, they argue that the detention without trial they experienced – the ultimate punishment for criticising the government in Moi’s time – was actually safer than current government tactics.

“If the State had no way of taking you to court, they would take you to prison and detain you without trial. But this regime seems to have another type of detention, which is killing in the absence of detention without trial,” Buke explained.

He highlighted another disturbing trend: “Another aspect of this regime, which I find special, is that while the previous administrations mainly targeted leaders for killing, this particular regime targets young people.  

“More young people have been killed by these people compared to us. In the regimes of Moi, maybe they would have killed us and spared our children, but now, this regime is killing the future.”

Police leadership response

The former political prisoners also criticised the government’s handling of officials implicated in Ojwang’s death, particularly Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, who claimed Monday that he had “stepped aside”.

Imanyara questioned the legitimacy of Lagat’s resignation letter, noting its lack of a proper addressee.

“If you look at that alleged letter of stepping aside, it’s not addressed to anyone. It is a very curious document because it ought to have been addressed to the National Police Service, who then immediately take the necessary action to commence or to initiate the investigation process,” the lawyer observed.

He also criticised Lagat’s decision to appoint his Principal Assistant, Patrick Tito, as his replacement, arguing that a constitutional office holder under investigation should not determine their successor.

“There is no such power. You can see we are being tricked. They do not mean business,” Imanyara said.

The lawyer stressed that simply stepping aside does not absolve Lagat of responsibility for Ojwang’s death, especially since the National Police Commission has not formally begun its investigation.

“I don’t know what stepping aside means,” Imanyara said.