Kalonzo warns Kenya risks Sri Lanka-style unrest amid rising economic hardship
By Cy Muganda, July 10, 2025Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has warned that Kenya could face a people-led uprising similar to those witnessed in Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, due to worsening economic conditions and rising public frustration with President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking on a local media station on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Kalonzo accused the government of neglecting the plight of Kenyans grappling with joblessness and soaring costs of living.
“The high cost of living itself is a problem, and he (Ruto) knows it,” Kalonzo stated.
The opposition leader criticised what he described as the president’s insensitive response to unemployment concerns, suggesting it demonstrated a disconnect from public suffering.
“I heard him actually complain that that’s a very unfortunate statement also. He says when he took over, were all these people complaining they are without jobs, were they employed? How can a head of state talk like that?” Kalonzo questioned.
“So we think he has lost the plot, and it is the right of the opposition. It is our constitutional duty to hold his government to account,” Kalonzo declared.
Public frustration
Kalonzo dismissed any suggestion that the opposition is planning a forceful takeover, stressing instead that mounting discontent among ordinary citizens could trigger unrest.
“None of us in the United Opposition wants to do a military coup. We don’t have the capacity to do that or cause a civilian coup,” he said.
“Unless Kenyans in their own right find they cannot bear it anymore and do a Sri Lanka type of thing. I think that’s what he’s afraid of, a Sri Lanka type of thing or of Bangladesh,” Kalonzo warned.
tyre that was lit by angry Gen Z protesters along Muindi Mbingu
Street on June 25, 2025. PHOTO/Philip Kamakya
The Wiper leader stated that the current wave of frustration is widespread and urged the government to take responsibility rather than dismiss the public’s grievances.
“As he’s saying, enough is enough, every Kenyan I can tell you today is saying enough is enough. If there’s a commonality of thought, it’s what William Ruto is saying and what Kenyans are saying,” Kalonzo added.
Stalled IEBC reforms
The former vice president urged the political crisis to be resolved through democratic means, specifically during the next election cycle, further accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of interfering with electoral reforms.
According to Kalonzo, the ongoing court injunctions delaying the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) may be politically motivated.
“So this matter will be resolved during the next election. We want to get to a situation where we get IEBC correctly in place now, because this situation is not palatable without an independent electoral boundaries commission which can call for elections any time,” he stated.
“And we think they’re playing tactics about this matter, in fact. We think they are. These injunctions that are in court also could be government-sponsored,” Kalonzo added.