By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, February 01,2026 -Leaders of the United Opposition on Sunday accused President William Ruto’s administration of intimidation and political persecution, as they renewed calls for unity and pledged to front a single presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.
The leaders spoke during a church service at ACK Gitugi in Mathioya Constituency, Murang’a County, where they warned that public anger was rising and the country risked instability if the government continued what they described as heavy-handed tactics.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged that a state-linked covert unit was responsible for last Sunday’s chaos at ACK Witima Church in Othaya.
“There is a killer squad formed by the government called Siera, consisting of 12 individuals who are based in Nairobi. They are the ones who travelled to attack us at ACK Witima Church last Sunday,” Gachagua claimed.
He said the opposition would no longer tolerate intimidation, whether arrests are made or not.
“If you arrest those people, well and good. If you don’t, it’s also good. But enough is enough. The people of Kenya will not be intimidated anymore,” he said.
Gachagua said the opposition was committed to forming an alternative government and insisted that the Mt Kenya region would play a central role.
“As the United Opposition, we will ensure we have one candidate to face William Ruto. Mt Kenya will stand with that candidate,” he said, accusing the President of attempting to isolate the region.
Jubilee deputy party leader and presidential aspirant Fred Matiang’i warned government leaders against provoking citizens, saying the country was being pushed to a dangerous point.
“There are leaders who are chest-thumping, claiming they are untouchable because they are in government. You cannot push Kenyans beyond the wall. The anger down below is too much,” Matiang’i said.
He accused the government of looting funds meant for education and health and promised reforms under an opposition administration.
“If we get elected, we will return free education in primary and secondary schools, restore the Linda Mama programme and fix the drama of the Social Health Authority. We are on a mission to fix this country,” he said.
Wiper Party leader and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka declared that President Ruto stood no chance of winning a second term if the opposition remained united.
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“The truth is that Ruto has no chance for a second term. If we remain united, there is no way he will retain the presidency,” Kalonzo said, warning that the next election would be highly contested. “This will not be any other ordinary election. We are watching and we are ready.”
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua urged Kenyans to prioritise justice over money, accusing the government of undermining constitutionalism.
“Do not cherish and love money more than justice. Justice will prevail forever, but money will get finished,” Karua said. “We will not allow Ruto to mutilate our Constitution. Kenya is not a dictatorship but a democracy.”
Karua also warned security officers against carrying out illegal orders. “As a police or military officer, you don’t have to obey illegal orders. Only obey legal orders,” she said.
Democratic Party leader and former Attorney General Justin Muturi accused the President of politicizing the State House and ignoring last week’s church incident.
“President William Ruto has converted State House into a second headquarters of UDA. Seven days after chaos erupted in Othaya, he is busy gallivanting and issuing funds instead of reflecting on what happened,” Muturi said, telling the President to “prepare to exit the State House in 2027”.
DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa claimed Gachagua had been targeted for assassination and warned against further attacks on opposition leaders.
“Our colleague Rigathi Gachagua was targeted for assassination last Sunday. If you dare touch Rigathi, you will have touched all of us,” Wamalwa, who is also former Defense Cabinet Secretary, said.
He dismissed claims that he was seeking to join the government and reiterated the opposition’s commitment to unity. “As the United Opposition, we will unanimously agree and front one presidential candidate who will send Ruto home,” he said, adding that freedom of worship must be respected.
Other opposition figures, including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Omingo Magara, elected leaders and aspirants from various parts of the country, were also present at the service.
