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By Steve El Sabai
In an unprecedented critique of President William Ruto’s administration, Kenya’s opposition leaders have issued a stark warning that the country is teetering toward an era marked by intimidation, surveillance, and violence. Speaking out at what they deem a “defining crossroads” for Kenya’s democracy, opposition figures allege that the foundational principles of the nation’s democratic system are now at risk.
The opposition’s alarm bells began with delays surrounding the appointment of Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Despite submitting Dr. Koki Muli as their nominee and following procedural requirements, the opposition claims their submission—along with eight other nominees—has stagnated. They argue that this delay is not accidental but part of a calculated “power play” meant to disrupt the independence of Kenya’s electoral process, ultimately jeopardizing its democratic foundation.
An investigation by Nation Media Group further fueled these concerns, allegedly exposing a clandestine relationship between Kenya’s security agencies and leading telecommunications companies, including Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom Kenya. This purported collaboration reportedly involves the unauthorized sharing of private data with law enforcement, effectively granting the government a means to track, monitor, and suppress opposition voices.
“This is a dangerous path,” said opposition leaders. “Today, they monitor opposition voices. Tomorrow, it could be anyone.” Citing the Data Protection Act of 2019 and Kenya’s Constitution, they argue that such surveillance infringes on citizens’ fundamental rights to privacy, eroding public trust in state institutions.
More troubling are reports of alleged state-sanctioned abductions and extrajudicial killings. Opposition sources estimate that since June, there have been 23 confirmed murders, 34 forced disappearances, and over 160 arrests linked to government-led crackdowns. Among these cases, the death of Denzel Omondi, a university student and protester, stands out. Omondi’s body was reportedly found in a quarry days after his disappearance. Another haunting case is that of civic educator John Njuguna Kuria, who vanished for two weeks before his body was found mutilated.
Public morgues in Nairobi and Thika reportedly bear evidence of this grim trend, with 201 unclaimed bodies allegedly deposited by police. Human rights organizations, including the Independent Medical-Legal Unit (IMLU) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), have condemned these reported abuses, labeling them as grave breaches of international law.
The opposition’s statement resonated deeply with the public, signaling not just a protest but a collective call for justice. Leaders demanded transparency and accountability from top security agencies such as the National Intelligence Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, with many directing their concerns to President Ruto himself, arguing he is ultimately responsible for what they describe as a betrayal of Kenya’s democratic principles.
In a gesture of solidarity, opposition leaders extended support to Kenya’s journalists, many of whom reportedly face constant harassment, confiscation of equipment, and court gag orders. Despite such obstacles, the journalists have continued to report on alleged human rights abuses, refusing to shy away from stories that, in the words of one opposition leader, “might otherwise have been buried.”
This unsettling portrait of Kenya’s current political climate calls into question the nation’s future. As East Africa’s democratic beacon, Kenya now finds itself at a crossroads, facing critical decisions that could determine whether it remains a bastion of freedom or begins a descent into authoritarianism.
With the nation watching, the next steps taken by its leaders, its people, and its defenders of justice will shape Kenya’s democratic path for years to come.
