Martha Karua, the leader of the NARC Kenya party, called for an organized resistance against President William Ruto’s administration in an interview on Spice FM, urging Kenyans to “say enough is enough” over increasing human rights violations and alleged abuses of state power.
Karua criticized the government for what she described as a “campaign of intimidation and fear,” orchestrated by President Ruto and his administration. She argued that state agencies are illegally detaining, abducting, and even killing critics and activists, actions which she claims defy the country’s 2010 Constitution.
“It looks like Dr. Ruto has suspended the Constitution without saying so,” Karua said, highlighting what she termed an “unprecedented” series of abductions of political opponents by state forces. “We cannot be having abductions by security officers in plain clothes, refusing to identify themselves and denying families the knowledge of their loved ones’ whereabouts,” she added.
Citing the recent detention of human rights activists and citizens without due legal process, Karua questioned the government’s motives in targeting individuals engaged in peaceful protest and political activism. She specifically referenced the cases of activist Boniface Mwangi and opposition supporters whose detentions were broadcast widely on social media. According to Karua, public outrage online was instrumental in bringing attention to these cases, which eventually forced authorities to respond. “If it were not for social media, these Kenyans would not have been seen again,” she stated.
Karua further criticized the handling of state agencies, accusing them of violating constitutional protections. “Our Constitution was built to prevent exactly this type of government action,” Karua asserted, underscoring the fact that Kenyan citizens are supposed to be protected from arbitrary detention under the 2010 legal framework. She lamented that the hard-won rights embedded in Kenya’s Constitution have been “eroded by those tasked with upholding them.”
She drew on past examples to contextualize her concerns, including a history of extrajudicial killings in Kenya, stating that while these incidents had occurred in previous administrations, they had “never been as widespread” as they are today. Referring to the 2010 Constitution, she stated that it was designed to curb precisely the kind of unchecked power that, in her view, is now rampant. “The Constitution has no fault on these areas,” she said. “A Constitution is as good as the people who implement it.”
During the interview, Karua also pointed to Kenya’s National Police Service, calling on them to answer for what she claimed were “clandestine detentions.” She cited the abduction and death of over 60 people, who were reportedly held in unofficial detention centers. “If you cannot guarantee or respect people’s right to life and liberty, then you do not deserve to be in power,” Karua said.
Furthermore, Karua held the legislature and judiciary to account, stating that they had failed to exercise adequate oversight and enforce accountability. The National Assembly and the Senate, she argued, have not acted in the interest of the Kenyan people, even amid apparent evidence of constitutional breaches. She went on to say that these government bodies “have not shown any traits of an upper house,” accusing them of failing to address critical issues affecting Kenyans, including economic pressures and the right to life and liberty.
When pressed on the appropriate measures to challenge the government’s actions, Karua advocated for a collective response from the Kenyan people, suggesting that Ruto and his administration could face rejection before the 2027 elections. “Being in leadership is not a title deed,” she said. “Kenyans must get ready to throw this regime out, even before 2027 if necessary.”
To address the underlying issues, Karua proposed that Kenyans revisit the fundamental principles of the Constitution and ensure that those in power are genuinely working in the people’s interests. “We must be each other’s keeper and defend our country,” she concluded, calling on her fellow citizens to hold the government accountable and defend the rule of law.
