Karua slams police over attack on opposition during Kikuyu rally
By Emmanuel Rono, April 11, 2026The People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader, Martha Karua, has condemned the National Police Service following what she described as an unprovoked and unlawful attack on a United Opposition convoy earlier on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
The incident occurred at the Gitaru Interchange while the convoy was travelling toward Kikuyu Town for the weekend rally.
According to a press statement released by the PLP on Saturday, April 11, 2026, police forces deployed tear gas and live ammunition against the convoy, specifically targeting leaders’ vehicles and accompanying transport.
Karua noted that the confrontation resulted in several injuries to occupants and significant property damage.
“We strongly condemn the unprovoked and unlawful attack by members of the police force on the United Opposition’s convoy at the Gitaru Interchange while en route to Kikuyu Town,” Karua stated.
“The use of tear gas and live ammunition against the convoy, targeting leaders’ vehicles and other accompanying vehicles even as they diverted to alternative routes, resulted in damage to property and injuries to several occupants. Such actions are reckless, disproportionate, and wholly unjustifiable in a democratic society.”
Intimidation of United Alternative Government
She further claimed that the attack is part of a broader pattern of intimidation and repression by the current administration against the United Alternative Government.
She said that the use of unnecessary and excessive force is a clear violation of the law and a betrayal of the constitutional duty entrusted to law enforcement agencies.
“This pattern of intimidation and repression directed at members and supporters of the United Alternative Government is not only criminal but also indicative of a regime increasingly resorting to coercion in the face of mounting public dissent,” Karua stated.
Call for immediate investigation
She noted that the apparent attempt by the current administration to engineer instability as the country approaches the next general elections undermines fair political competition and meaningful engagement with citizens, poses a grave threat to our democracy.
Karua has called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately investigate the incidents and hold all culpable officers accountable, and the independent oversight bodies, including IPOA, to initiate urgent and transparent inquiries.
Karua further directed the civil society, religious leaders, and all right-thinking citizens to speak out against these violations and defend the rule of law.
State goons
In a statement shared earlier before the rally on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Gachagua claimed that the use of goons has become a deliberate strategy in the current political environment, pointing to what he described as a worrying trend captured even in mainstream media coverage.
“As well captured by the two leading dailies, goonism has become the operational module for William Ruto’s administration,” the statement reads.
He accused the government of relying on such groups to entrench its political control, alleging that dissenting voices and ordinary citizens are increasingly being targeted through intimidation and violence.