Kiambu senator Karungo: Ruto’s regime not willing to end human rights violations
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, February 16, 2026Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa has criticised President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, claiming it lacks the commitment to end human rights violations following Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja’s failure to attend a scheduled meeting with members of the United Opposition at his office.
In a post shared on his X account on Monday, February 16, 2026, Thang’wa condemned Kanja’s absence, alleging that the police chief had gone into hiding instead of engaging with opposition leaders.
“This morning, I joined the United Opposition principals led by H.E. Riggy G at the office of the Inspector General, who failed to show up despite giving us an appointment to update us on the ACK Witima Church terrorism attack carried out by state hired police officers. Instead, he went into hiding. His absence signals that the Ruto regime is not willing to end human rights violations against its own people. We have therefore resolved to return on Friday together with other Kenyans and supporters,” Karungo noted in a statement.
Karungo has said that the Kenya Kwanza government is not ready to stop the state-hired attacks against the members of the opposition and the members of the public, giving reference to the attack on the members of the opposition at a church event in Witima in Othaya, Nyeri County.
Opposition’s failed meeting at IG’s office.
The sentiments from the outspoken Senator and a close ally to DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua have come hours after a staged, dramatic visit to Vigilance House in Nairobi by the united opposition members, who accused the National Police Service of failing to act on a series of attacks targeting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies
Led by Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Gachagua, the United Opposition delegation demanded accountability over what they described as “systematic harassment” and violations of human rights.
Opposition sets deadline for IG to honour the meeting
They have further stated that they will be going to the IG’s office once every week until their demands are acted upon.