Lawyer and political commentator Willis Otieno has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of ruling through manipulation, intimidation, and propaganda rather than legitimate leadership.

In a strongly worded statement shared via his official X account on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at night, Otieno argued that Ruto’s administration thrives not on genuine public trust but on fear and manufactured consent.

He went ahead to compare Ruto to rulers throughout history who believed themselves invincible, only to be overthrown by the very people they oppressed.

“William Ruto does not govern; he schemes. He does not lead; he manipulates. His regime survives not on legitimacy, but on fear, lies, and manufactured consent. But history has a long memory. Pharaohs, emperors, and tyrants all thought themselves invincible until the people they mocked pulled down their thrones,” Otieno stated.

Political tension

Otieno’s remarks come at a time of heightened political tension in the country, with the opposition accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of silencing dissent, weaponising state agencies, and prioritising political survival over service delivery.

People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua is among the opposition politicians who have strongly condemned the attack on the convoy of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua upon his arrival from the United States on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

In a statement shared via her official X account on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at night, Karua said the incident, which took place as Gachagua’s motorcade left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), was carried out by a militia in full view of police officers deployed to maintain order.

She claimed the inaction by law enforcement suggested the attack was “state-sanctioned”.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the attack of the convoy of @rigathi on his way from the JKIA today. The attacking militia unleashed their criminal acts in full view of the police deployed by @IG_NPS @NPSOfficial_KE, giving the impression that the attack was state-sanctioned,” Karua stated.

Maraga slams Ruto

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has also strongly condemned the violence witnessed during the return of Gachagua.

In a strongly worded statement shared via his official X account on Thursday, August 21, 2025, Maraga accused President Ruto of presiding over an administration that allows “armed militias” to unleash violence on citizens, even as security forces stand by without intervention.

“I strongly condemn the use of violence against citizens and journalists during the return of the former Deputy President from his visit to the United States,” Maraga stated.

He warned that such acts undermine the safety and security of the nation and erode public trust in state institutions.