Opposition tears into Ruto as Kalonzo moves to lock Ukambani

United Opposition rally in Machakos. [Erastus Mulwa, Standard]

United opposition leaders yesterday intensified their 'One Term' campaign in Machakos County, rallying the Akamba community to register as voters in large numbers and urging them to prepare for a change of government next year.

Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka hosted co-principals Rigathi Gachagua (DCP), Fred Matiang’i (Jubilee), Justin Muturi (DP) and Eugene Wamalwa (DAP) during an energetic political tour of Ukambani’s most affluent county.

The leaders sharply criticised President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of poor governance and abuse of power that they said has undermined the country’s progress.

The leaders addressed rallies in Masinga, Matuu in Yatta Constituency, Mbiuni in Mwala Constituency, Kangundo and later Machakos Town. They were accompanied by several local leaders, among them Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, her deputy Francis Mwangangi and a host of legislators.

In Masinga, Kalonzo said the “journey to rescue the country” was firmly on course, insisting that Kenyans had already made a decisive decision to vote out President Ruto in next year’s election.

“I want to tell Kenyans that this oppressive government is aware that its days are numbered. We want to tell Ruto to drop the false claim that he is uniting the country. We want him to know Kenyans have united to make him a one-term president,” said Kalonzo. The Wiper leader also accused the Ruto administration of allegedly orchestrating state-backed violence against individuals opposed to its leadership.

Kalonzo singled out Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, accusing him of allegedly planning an attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.

“They claim to have arrested the goons who attacked Senator Osotsi, but the chief goon is PS Omollo because he is the one who paid the young men to target individuals actively involved in opposition politics,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Gachagua, who claimed that President Ruto was using Omollo to destabilise ODM’s Luo Nyanza stronghold.

“ODM should be wary of Ruto. He has resourced PS Omollo to plant UDA aspirants across Nyanza with the aim of weakening ODM’s strength. Ruto is systematically replacing ODM with UDA using the PS,” claimed Gachagua.

He further urged residents to reject leaders allegedly being used by the State to undermine Kalonzo in his political backyard.

“There is no shortage of leaders in this region. Those who are being used by Ruto to undermine Kalonzo should be replaced with somebody else who is loyal to Kalonzo,” said the former Deputy President.

Matiang’i faulted the government over what he termed as the collapse of the education and health sectors, saying only a change of administration would fix the situation. He further said the opposition would remain vigilant to prevent electoral malpractice. “It will not be possible to rig the election. Ruto and his associates should know that Kenyans are alert. When the time comes, they should pack their stuff and leave peacefully,” said the former CS.

Muturi said the opposition was concerned about the sanctity of electoral data, raising questions over its security and a possible scheme of voter register manipulation.