Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has claimed the courts are being weaponized to silence government critics.

The police and the Azimio la Umoja- One Kenya coalition have been at loggerheads, especially during the protests organised by the latter. Karua, a co-principal in the opposition outfit, is at it again, hitting out at the law-enforcement agency for arresting its leaders.

Karua warns police

“When police arrest to sabotage legitimate political activities and turn up in court alleging conspiracy, then you know the courts are being weaponized to silence dissent,” Karua said in a statement.

Arrested

Police have been in the spotlight after arresting Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, who was later charged at Milimani Law Courts. The lawmaker was charged with Calvin ‘Gaucho’ Otieno, Nairobi’s Bunge La Mwananchi President, for conspiring to commit subversive activities.

Tom Odondo, Michael Otieno, Pascal Ouma, Kevin Wambo, and Willys Owino are the others who were arraigned in court alongside Owino. The charged have been notable figures leading the Azimio protests in Nairobi. 

Earlier in the week, Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga, Kilifi County Speaker Teddy Mwambire, MCAs Wilfred Odallo and Redson Ochongo, budget officers at the Nairobi County Assembly, Erick Otieno, and Anthony Otsula were arrested.

Karua has been a key critic of the police and, in a recent statement, warned that individual officers will carry their crosses for actions they commit against the protestors.

“Their continued unlawful detention, which the Ruto regime has sanctioned, together with the excessive force being used notably in Mathare, Kibera, Embakasi, Kamukunji, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kisii, Kisumu, and indeed all over the country to disperse lawful and peaceful demonstrations, is in flagrant violation of our constitution and laws.

“Each officer will account individually for these unlawful acts. Our Lawyers have instructions to proceed with the necessary legal action,” the former Gichugu MP and a minister in the Mwai Kibaki government said in a statement.

‘Illegitimate regime’

Azimio has held their stance that they do not recognize President William Ruto’s government, and Karua claimed that there is preferential treatment in how the police treat supporters of different political factions.

“Clearly, the Ruto illegitimate regime has split Kenya into two: a shareholders Kenya where UDA supporters can stage ‘counter’ demonstrations escorted by police and a republic under siege where police unleash death and mayhem against peaceful demonstrators in flagrant violation of the constitution,” she stated.

The anti-government demonstrations against the rising cost of living will hit their third day on Friday, July 21, 2023.