The Linda Mwananchi movement has issued a statement, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of sponsoring violence, bribing voters in Ol Kalou by-election, and presiding over what it describes as a descent into lawlessness.
In the statement dated July 9, 2026, the movement drew a direct parallel between the Saba Saba heroes of 1990, who rose up against impunity and dictatorship demanding multiparty democracy, and the struggle Kenyans continue to wage today.
“Thirty-six years later, it is an indictment to us as a nation that we still fight for the exact same things the second liberation heroes did,” the statement noted.
The movement specifically condemned the attack on its convoy in Keumbu Town, Kisii County, on Friday, July 3, 2026, which it said was carried out by armed thugs under police supervision. The attack claimed the life of a young man, Vincent Osiemo, alias Mapinduzi.
“It is inconceivable that the Ruto regime still thinks that fear, sponsored by a police state, can intimidate and cow citizens thirty-six years after the Saba Saba heroes drew a red line on the exact same governance mode,” the statement read.
The movement also pointed to the discovery of the body of Kenya Forestry Service Legal Affairs Manager Esther Wairimu Keige and that of Advocate Edward Kariuki Muthee, describing both cases as pointing to abduction and murder.
“In every sense, Ruto now presides over a Mafia nation where death beckons as soon as you disagree with his kleptocracy,” the statement charged.
On Ol Kalou, Linda Mwananchi accused the government of flooding the constituency with cash and state resources ahead of the by-election in a bid to buy votes.
They drew a comparison to the 1995 Kipipiri by-election where Kanu deployed electricity poles, road construction equipment, and bicycles to sway voters, only to lose.
“The people of Ol Kalou, just like Kipipiri of 1995, will not be swayed by goodies bought from their own taxes,” they stated.
The Linda Mwananchi movement has also accused the IEBC of failing to enforce election laws and alleged that officials are being pressured to procure an election system that could influence the 2027 General Election.
Addressing Ruto directly, Linda Mwananchi said no amount of rigging would save him in 2027. “We urge him to prepare to hand over power peacefully to the incoming Linda Mwananchi administration in one year’s time, and enjoy his retirement, from where he can watch us undertake the difficult task of undoing the damage he has done to this great country,” the statement said.
On the ongoing market boycott in Keumbu following the attack, Linda Mwananchi appealed to the public not to punish ordinary traders, particularly the Mama Mboga community, who had no part in the incident.
The movement said it would reach out to market leadership and send a peace caravan to Keumbu as a show of goodwill.
