Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i Blast Ruto After Disrupted Kikuyu Rally

Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang’i have sharply criticised President William Ruto following the chaotic disruption of a political rally in Kikuyu Town, where police fired teargas and reportedly used live and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

In a strongly worded statement, Kalonzo accused the President of abandoning leadership in favour of repression, saying the events at the Gitaru-Kikuyu Interchange exposed the government’s approach to dissent.

“Yesterday, I declared… that you have failed every test of leadership. Today… you answered not with governance, but with guns,” Kalonzo said.

He alleged that security forces were deliberately deployed to target both leaders and civilians attending the rally.

“You deployed the police… to fire live and rubber bullets at us and at Kenyans who were peaceful, exercising our constitutionally guaranteed rights,” he added.

Kalonzo further claimed the use of teargas was excessive and dangerous, accusing the government of attempting to silence opposition voices.

“You cannot shoot down the will of a people and you cannot teargas a nation’s conscience,” he said.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also condemned the incident, describing it as a threat to democratic freedoms.

“Our peaceful rally was disrupted, and wananchi who had gathered in good faith were denied the opportunity to engage. This is unacceptable,” Matiang’i said.

He confirmed that leaders affiliated with the United Alternative Government coalition were safe following the incident and had convened to assess the situation.

“We will not be deterred. The struggle to restore dignity, freedom, and accountable leadership in our country continues,” he added.

The incident in Kikuyu has intensified political tensions, coming amid a series of confrontations between opposition leaders and the government over claims of police excess and restrictions on political gatherings.

Opposition figures maintain that the rally was peaceful, while accusing the state of using force to stifle dissent. The government had not issued an official response to the latest allegations at the time of publication.

The unfolding standoff signals an increasingly heated political climate as the country edges closer to the 2027 general election.