United Opposition leaders march to IG Kanja’s office
By Faith Lagat, January 30, 2026United Opposition leaders on January 30, 2026, marched to the Office of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja at Jogoo House, Nairobi, seeking engagement over what they described as persistent attacks, harassment, and security breaches targeting opposition figures and their supporters.
The delegation was led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) and included Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, former Speaker Justin Muturi, and several elected leaders.
The march followed a notification letter dated January 29, 2026, in which Malala informed IG Kanja of the opposition’s intention to visit Jogoo House at 10 am to submit formal complaints and seek dialogue on the safety of opposition leaders and their supporters.
“Engagement with the Police IG, Jogoo House, Nairobi,” read Gachagua’s Facebook post.
Concerns over security
In the letter, the opposition cited months of unresolved reports of violence and intimidation, some allegedly involving criminal gangs and police complicity. They said no meaningful investigations or arrests had been made despite repeated complaints.
The leaders maintained that their grievances were documented and formally communicated, insisting that the police had a constitutional duty to guarantee the safety of all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
Nyeri church incident raises tensions
The march came amid heightened political tension following an incident on January 25, 2026, at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County. During a church service attended by Gachagua, armed individuals and police officers reportedly lobbed tear gas canisters into the compound, injuring women and children and damaging vehicles, including a Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to Gachagua that was set on fire.
Gachagua said the attackers included rogue police officers and about 15 armed individuals who arrived in a matatu after a morning briefing.
He said he collected 7.62-millimetre cartridges from the scene and compared the incident to the 2008 Kiambaa Church attack, expressing concern that no arrests had been made more than 48 hours later.
He later recounted the incident to Nyandarua MCAs at his Wamunyoro home on January 27, describing the disruption of a place of worship as deeply traumatising for congregants.
The Jogoo House march also built on recent opposition unity efforts, highlighted during the Democratic Party National Delegates Convention held on January 28 at Ufungamano House. Leaders at the meeting stressed the importance of cohesion, drawing lessons from past elections.