Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has vowed to continue with planned opposition rallies despite an attack that disrupted his team’s activities in Migori County, accusing the government of using violence and intimidation to suppress political dissent.
In a series of statements shared on X, Kalonzo maintained that the incident would not deter the opposition from engaging Kenyans, insisting that the right to peaceful assembly and political expression was protected by the Constitution.
The former Vice President said stones and teargas had failed to stop the team from addressing residents of Migori, describing the incident as an attempt to undermine democratic freedoms.
“Stones and teargas could not stop us from addressing the great people of Migori. That is the predator regime’s answer to peaceful assembly: violence and intimidation,” Kalonzo stated.
He further maintained that the opposition would not allow intimidation to undermine the country’s democratic gains or deny Kenyans their constitutional rights.
“No amount of intimidation will keep us from our people. Ukombozi cannot be stopped,” he added.
Kalonzo also confirmed that the opposition’s planned rallies in neighbouring Homa Bay County would proceed as scheduled, calling on supporters to turn out for the engagements.
The incident attracted condemnation from several political leaders, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, who warned that political violence posed a threat to the country’s democratic environment, particularly as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election.
Orengo condemned the reported attack on Kalonzo and his team, arguing that violence had no place in a democratic society.
“Democracy and violence cannot coexist. I condemn in the strongest terms the violence meted against Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and his team in Migori, a beautiful county,” Orengo said.
He further described the incident as a worrying development, warning that such occurrences were sending troubling signals ahead of the next General Election.
Former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi also weighed in, condemning what he described as political thuggery and an attempt to silence opposition voices through intimidation.
Muturi alleged that the attack in Migori Town was orchestrated by goons sent by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, describing the incident as an assault on democratic freedoms.
He criticised political actors who, according to him, resorted to violence instead of competing through democratic means and presenting alternative ideas to voters.
Muturi maintained that political intimidation would not force opposition leaders into silence, insisting that Kenyans had a constitutional right to engage with political leaders, express dissent and advocate for alternative leadership.
He called for accountability for those allegedly responsible for the incident, warning against normalising violence as a tool of political mobilisation.
The three leaders’ statements come amid heightened political activity as various political formations begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo’s assurance that the planned Homa Bay rallies would proceed signals the opposition team’s intention to maintain its public engagements despite the reported disruption in Migori.
However, the allegations surrounding the incident, particularly Muturi’s claims implicating Junet Mohammed, had yet to be independently established in the statements provided.
The developments have once again drawn attention to concerns about political tolerance, freedom of assembly and the safety of political leaders and their supporters during public engagements.
