Why snobbish Kanja dodged crucial meet with Opposition

 

United Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Rigathi Gachagua at Jogoo House in Nairobi after their meeting with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja failed to take off, on February 16, 2026. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

The United Opposition principals have accused Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of snubbing a crucial security meeting at Jogoo House, as they intensified pressure to end what they described as rising cases of police excesses and political intimidation.

The leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, yesterday stormed the National Police Service Headquarters at Jogoo House, where they were met with a “cold” reception.

After spending a few minutes at the IG’s offices, the leaders emerged and claimed police bosses had “fled”. It was not clear whether they had been officially invited for the meeting.

This marked the second occasion the leaders had sought an audience with Kanja over progress in investigations into the attack at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, last month.

According to the principals, during the first meeting with the IG, it was agreed that a follow-up meeting would be held, which they honoured, only to be “snubbed”.

The January 30 meeting had set February 16 as the date for the follow-up, to ascertain the progress of resolving the Witima matter. “We have told the IG that before we come back on February 16, those members of that unit need to be arrested, disarmed, and taken to court. He must give us that assurance,” Gachagua said.

When contacted for comment on whether the opposition leaders had an invitation for Monday’s meeting, police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga told The Standard: “I thought the burden of proof (confirmation) lies on those who allege.”

However, the opposition leaders maintained that Kanja left shortly before their arrival without informing them, delegating junior officers to engage them instead, a move they rejected. “The magnitude of this matter, an attack on a place of worship, is an act of terror. We cannot discuss this issue with anyone other than the IG,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua described the IG’s absence as disrespectful and unprofessional, saying it undermined the seriousness of the security concerns they had raised. “He did not even have the courtesy to tell us he would not be here; he left shortly before we arrived,” Gachagua alleged.

Musyoka said they were instead received by Muchiri, whom they declined to engage, vowing to return on Friday for an audience with the IG.

“The spokesperson told us another invite will be sent. We would prefer it even today or tomorrow. If not, we will return on Friday regardless,” he said.

“It is shocking that the Inspector General and his team were not available for such an important meeting concerning the safety of Kenyans,” Musyoka added, insisting the IG had deliberately skipped the meeting.

According to Wamalwa, the IG was acting on orders from above, but this will not deter them from meeting him.

He declared that the opposition will visit Jogoo House weekly until their concerns are addressed, reiterating that all they want is accountability. “When we return, we expect a full report and remedial measures to address the concerns. We expect none other than IG Kanja to talk to us,” he said.

Gachagua further alleged that they had information from within the Service that investigations into the Othaya church attack had already been concluded and that the officers involved had been identified and traced.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader also accused elements within the police of being used to settle political scores, claiming there were new directives outside the police command structure.

He alleged that senior government officials were issuing instructions directly to police commanders outside the established chain of command.

“It cannot be that police, charged with maintaining law and order, are the ones breaking the law. Guns and ammunition bought with taxpayers’ money to protect citizens cannot be turned against unarmed Kenyans,” he said, citing the latest incident in Kitengela, where police disrupted a peaceful rally held by the ODM faction led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Meanwhile, while on a tour in Meru County, former Chief Justice David Maraga weighed in, condemning the Kitengela incident.

“What was the cause? Those people were having a peaceful meeting. There was no reason, no breach of peace whatsoever,” he said.