Why Kenya Kwanza administration is showing signs of intolerance

Police barricade roads leading to the Nairobi CBD during Saba Saba protests, on July 7, 2025. [File, Standard] The Kenya Kwanza government is increasingly becoming politically intolerant as political commentators express fear of an authoritarian regime out to silence the Opposition. With the latest incident in Murang'a County where Opposition leaders where on Sunday blocked from attending a political rally, observes are worried that the country is sliding back to the old days when State machinery was often unleashed to frustrate leaders perceived anti-government. Chaos broke out at Ngonda shopping centre when goons in company of police clashed with Opposition leaders who had just attended service at AIPCA Kahuro Church in Kigumo and where heading to the rally when they were stopped. Among the leaders were Senators Joe Nyutu of Murang'a, John Methu (Nyandarua), Enock Wambua (Kitui), and Karungo Thang'wa (Kiambu), Richard Onyonka (Kisii), Dan Maazo (Makueni) and Agnes Kavindu (Machakos). Others were MPs Jayne Kihara of Naivasha, John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo), Robert Mbui (Kathiani) among a host of MCAs. The latest incident has left observers wondering whether the Kenya Kwanza regime was really committed to political tolerance in a democratic society. Political Analyst Barrack Muluka describes the situation as panic by government that could have implications in the long run, if not addressed. He said curtailing activities of the Opposition, as was witnessed on Sunday, could in the long run bring about a counter attack and could get nasty, noting that whoever is orchestrating such schemes should not pursue that avenue. "When you have run out of all other methods then you resort to intimidation as a way of curtailing the activities of your opponents, in other words, you have read defeat. So you are going to panic and do not allow them the opportunity to be heard, I do not think it is anything more than that," he told The Standard yesterday. Professor of Management and Leadership, Gitile Naituli also echoed Muluka, saying President William Ruto's allies may lost support in Mt Kenya region where they are considered as traitors. "That is not right (what happened), but the Mt Kenya people will welcome the worst enemy and that person may never know the people dislike you. Some politicians, who seem drunk with power may not know how people could react," he said. According to him, political intolerance is being perpetuated by government as the people remain tolerant. "That is the government trying to create violence because they have concluded that they will lose elections in that region, so maybe they are trying to cause people to retaliate," he said. Policy Advisor and strategist, Peter Kagwanja, who spoke on Spice FM yesterday said leadership is not about self-aggrandizement, but the well-being of the nation. "Kenya is reaching a level, in terms of politicking that we are now jokers and citizens really need to come into focus and as we approach 2027, this becomes more imperative. We need to go to factory settings of the Republic of Kenya, look back at the visions that the founding fathers had," he said. He said the 'factory setting' of the country is justice while the aspiration is peace and to live in prosperity. "If you are to tick the box of this leadership now, as it is, the current leadership... you would pick none out of the values that make a country ... justice, peace, unity, freedom prosperity all get zero," he stated. Following the incident, a section of the Opposition vowed that no amount of political injustice and intimidation will stop their push to ensure Ruto is not re-elected in the 2027 General Election. Nyutu led other leaders caught up in the melee in castigating the Sunday incidence terming it is unfortunate that the reign of terror visited the county.

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