Democratic Action of Kenya Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has taken a firm stand against what he termed as state-sponsored intimidation targeting opposition leaders.

Addressing the press from PLP headquarters in Nairobi on July 31, 2025, Wamalwa was flanked by Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka, who jointly rallied the United Opposition to denounce recent cases of violence and harassment directed at their supporters.

The leaders cited incidents in Subukia and Murang’a, where several opposition supporters were allegedly subjected to police brutality. “This morning at PLP Headquarters, with my fellow party leaders Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka and other colleagues in the United Opposition, we stood in solidarity with members of our coalition who were victims of police brutality and harassment,” Wamalwa said.

He condemned what he described as “the growing trend of state-sponsored intimidation, violence, and blatant abuse of power aimed at silencing opposition leaders and disrupting our peaceful rallies.” The claims come at a time when political temperatures are rising, and concerns over shrinking civic space continue to mount.

Calls for accountability

Wamalwa called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to act swiftly on a complaint filed against officers implicated in the Subukia and Murang’a incidents.

He emphasised that the right to peaceful assembly and free speech is enshrined in the Constitution and vowed not to be cowed by threats or harassment. “No amount of threats or harassment will break our resolve. We will defend our constitutional right to assemble, speak, and lead without fear,” he stated.

The PLP leader also raised alarm over a consignment of 25,000 metric tonnes of sugar recently docked at the Port of Mombasa, allegedly unfit for human consumption. He linked the scandal to previously closed sugar factories in Western Kenya, hinting at possible corruption in import and trade practices.

This renewed opposition resolve comes against the backdrop of emerging political realignments. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), led by Raila Odinga, has signalled a collaborative shift by forming a technical team to implement a 10-point agenda under its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The agenda, adopted during an ODM Central Committee meeting chaired by Odinga, focuses on the NADCO report, youth livelihoods, peaceful assembly, the rule of law, and anti-corruption.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna read out the committee’s resolution, stating, “That to expedite the implementation of the 10-point agenda of the MOU, ODM will constitute a technical team to work with UDA counterparts… The committee identified the absence of such a technical committee, which is contained in the MOU, as the missing link.”

As ODM seeks stability and pushes for a Ksh 450 billion allocation to counties, Wamalwa’s strong rebuke of government excesses underscores growing tension between elements of the opposition and state machinery, setting the stage for a potentially fractious political season.