Police bar opposition leaders from church, force cancellation of rally

The police on Sunday barred several opposition leaders from attending a church service in Mlolongo town in solidarity with recently released victims of abduction in Kitengela.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, his Democratic Action Party-Kenya counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni and politician Jimmie Wanjigi, among others, were scheduled to join activist Bob Njagi in a church service at Mlolongo Kasina AIC.

Later, the leaders were set to address residents and talk politics at various Mlolongo and Kitengela towns stopovers.

Mr Njagi and the two brothers, Jamil and Aslam Longton were abducted on August 19 in Mlolongo and Kitengela, respectively, only to be set free by their abductors on September 20 in different places in Kiambu County.

Mr Musyoka and his entourage wanted to hold prayers with the victims and push for the arrest and prosecution of police officers suspected to have kidnapped the three men.

However, the leadership of AIC Church in Mlolongo and Kitengela cancelled their visit on police instructions, leaving them stranded for hours at a hotel in Kitengela town.

They later resolved to attend a service at Kitengela Glorious Church amid the heavy deployment of plainclothes police in the populous Kitengela town.

"We were to attend church services (at AIC) but we understand the State machineries intimidated the church leadership to cancel our visit,” Mr Musyoka said, adding that they were to skip rallies to save residents from police brutality.

“There are police officers all over as if we are fugitives. We will not be silenced from calling out President Ruto’s government.”

Mr Musyoka said the state is denying opposition leaders their freedom to worship even as he castigated the Kenya Kwanza administration for using police to abduct and torture innocent Kenyans.

"The government must take responsibility for the ongoing abductions. Ruto’s government stands impeached. The Genz liberated this country. This government must stop using diversionary tactics.”.

Mr Wamalwa said President Ruto’s administration has lost legitimacy and it has transformed itself into a dictatorship characterised by abductions and killings of innocent Kenyans.

"It's here in Kitengela that Ruto administration committed atrocities. We condemn police brutality and we will ensure the cases amounting to violation of human rights will be heard in international court," he said.

Mr Kioni said the current administration had succeeded in creating disturbance and disorder in the country.

"For the country to heal from the brutality of the State, the president and his people ought to resign," he said.

Politician Jimmy Wanjigi said Kenya had been transformed into a police state under Kenya Kwanza watch.

He said he is under 24-hour watch from state agents who have disabled internet and communication in his Muthaiga home.

"I’m always followed by unmarked vehicles. They have disabled the internet and all signals so that I cannot make calls from my home or watch TV. President William Ruto government lost legitimacy during the Genz protests. Let him seek fresh mandate through fresh elections," said Mr Wanjigi.

Mr Njagi, who was given a chance to address the media, ran short of words.

"I thank Kenyans who stood with me in those difficult 32 days. Will be able to talk to Kenyans later in the week," he said, donning a red beret synonymous with the Free Movement Kenya he heads.

Other leaders present included Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu, Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho, Kajiado East MP Kakuta Mai Mai, former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and several MCAs from both Kajiado and Machakos counties.