As political violence spirals and calls for international intervention grow, Kenya’s ruling coalition hits back — hard
By Wairimu Gitau
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah yesterday welcomed calls for the International Criminal Court to investigate political violence in Kenya, but turned the demand squarely against the opposition, accusing its leaders of sponsoring the very lawlessness they are blaming on the government.
The Kikuyu MP’s remarks came as a fierce exchange erupted between Kenya Kwanza and opposition figures over Sunday’s violence in Homa Bay, where a Linda Mwananchi convoy was attacked by armed men, roads were blocked and journalists were assaulted. Opposition leaders, including People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, have called for ICC intervention and accused President William Ruto of tolerating State-sponsored goonism. Ichung’wah was having none of it. “Something surprised me — Martha Karua was reading a statement written for her, and standing behind her was James Orengo. Orengo is the one carrying the thugs with machetes as we saw in Homa Bay. So let us not be hypocrites,” he said, directing his fire at Siaya Governor Orengo, one of the Linda Mwananchi movement’s leading figures.
He was equally direct about the ICC question. “I want to join them in welcoming the ICC to come and investigate that matter of goonism — because you plan the goonism, then you point at others,” Ichung’wah said, framing the call for international scrutiny as a double-edged instrument that would implicate opposition organisers rather than the administration.
Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria added a blunter edge to the ruling coalition’s response. “It is time for each person to protect their stronghold. I have bought a power saw — let it keep cutting. Let everyone look after their people’s interests,” Kuria said, a remark that drew immediate attention for its combative imagery.
With the IEBC having formally gazetted the 2027 election period, the battle lines are drawn — and the language on both sides is growing sharper by the day.
