‘Hands Off Gachagua’: Kalonzo Warns Government Against Opposition Crackdown
Kalonzo Musyoka has warned the government against arresting senior opposition leaders, saying any action against one member of the coalition would be treated as an attack on the entire alliance.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has warned the government against arresting senior opposition leaders, saying any action against one member of the coalition would be treated as an attack on the entire alliance. Speaking during a Sunday service at AIC Namanga Border in Kajiado County, Kalonzo said the opposition remained united and would stand together if any of its leaders were targeted.
He specifically named former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, describing them as key members of the coalition.
“You will not even aggrieve upon the rights of others like Gachagua. I can assure you Gachagua is a strong member of this team. He is a leader and you cannot grab him. If you arrest him, you have arrested Seki, Wamalwa, and others,” Kalonzo said.
The former Vice President was joined by former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, Democratic Action Party–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku and Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo. The leaders said they opposed what they described as attempts to intimidate opposition figures.
Kalonzo also said that any move against Fred Matiang’i would be viewed as an attack on the wider opposition. “You touch Fred Matiang’i, you have touched Muturi. Trying to arrest any of the leaders, we have decided we will work hard and unite for the future of our children,” he said.
He also raised concerns about press freedom, referring to reports of an attempted abduction of a journalist in Nakuru County and an alleged attack on a mainstream media house. Kalonzo said such incidents threatened media independence and reminded the congregation that the Constitution of Kenya 2010 guarantees freedom of the press.
The Wiper leader also referred to the events of 25 June, the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests in which several young people lost their lives. He accused the government of obstructing peaceful commemorations by deploying security officers and setting up barricades to prevent opposition leaders and the families of victims from laying flowers outside Parliament.
Kalonzo and the other opposition leaders urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and prayerful. They argued that continued intimidation of opposition leaders, harassment of young people and misuse of state agencies would undermine constitutional rights and democratic freedoms. They also called for justice for those who died during previous protests and demanded accountability from those responsible.
