Opposition leaders call for boycott of Kenya Kwanza-linked businesses
People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua(Centre) addresses journalists flanked by (from left) Dr Fred Matiangi, former Attorney-General Justin Muturi, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition leaders at SKM Command Center in Nairobi on July 8, 2025.
Opposition leaders on Tuesday called for a national boycott of all businesses affiliated with President William Ruto’s administration, accusing the Kenya Kwanza regime of unleashing state-sponsored violence, ethnic persecution and extrajudicial killings on Kenyans.
The leaders said they will document all atrocities committed by the Kenya Kwanza administration and use the evidence to pursue private prosecutions in their quest for justice for victims of police brutality.
Through the People’s Restoration Justice Commission (PRJC), launched on June 24, 2025, the opposition said part of the evidence collected would also be presented to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for action against individuals involved in committing atrocities against the public. They further accused the regime of committing crimes against humanity.
The opposition alliance which includes former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People's Liberation Party's Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Justin Muturi (DP), former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Torome Saitoti (Jubilee) faulted President Ruto for allowing the country to descend into lawlessness, likening Kenya’s current security situation to Haiti’s gang-controlled zones.
“We therefore issue this call to action: Boycott all businesses, services, and institutions owned, operated, or publicly linked to this regime and its enablers,” the leaders said at a press briefing at the SKM Command Centre in Karen, Nairobi.
Former Trade Minister Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, who read the statement on behalf of the opposition chiefs, added: “We will publicise a list of shame and call on the public to share any information on businesses affiliated with this list.”
The leaders alleged that rogue police officers and state-sponsored militias had been deployed to silence dissent through targeted killings, intimidation, looting and destruction during the anti-government protests.
“This regime is hostile. It cannot be reasoned with. It must be resisted. We will not rest. We will not retreat. We will not surrender,” he declared.
The opposition presented a list of documented incidents from July 6 and 7 including an alleged attack on the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) during a press conference where militia, reportedly linked to the state, roughed up participants — particularly women — without police intervention.
They also accused the government of deploying unmarked police vehicles transporting armed gangs to perceived opposition strongholds, including parts of Mt. Kenya and Kitengela.
Looting and vandalism
In one instance, they cited an incident at Kitengela Hospital, where militias disrupted medical procedures and looted equipment. Other claims included vandalism and looting of supermarkets and small businesses, as well as reports of bodies being collected by police trucks across the country, though the opposition said the death toll remains unconfirmed.
The leaders claimed these acts were part of an orchestrated crackdown on Kenyans — particularly in regions perceived to have politically parted ways with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
In a major escalation, the United Opposition accused President Ruto, the Interior Ministry, the National Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations of committing crimes against humanity as defined under Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), to which Kenya is a signatory. The cited violations included murder, torture, political persecution, and other inhumane acts.
“This regime is no longer engaged in mere repression. It has graduated into full-blown persecution,” said Kituyi. “These are not isolated incidents. They are systematic, targeted, and sanctioned at the highest levels.”
In response to what they called an undeclared war on the Kenyan people, the leaders issued a three-point call to action:Boycott all regime-linked businesses and institutions.
The alliance said it would release a “list of shame” and urged the public to crowdsource intelligence on affiliations. They saud they would shun all events and forums organised by pro-regime actors, including civil society fronts seen as legitimising state violence and support citizen-led resistance and community-based mobilisation efforts
aimed at reclaiming democratic space.
“Change does not come by asking nicely. It is wrestled from the hands of those who thrive on fear and oppression,” the statement said.
Yesterday’s statement, delivered in the wake of a bloody Saba Saba Day marked by violent confrontations and a heavy-handed police response signals a turning point in Kenya’s political trajectory.
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, a close ally of Mr Musyoka and a member of the PRJC said the opposition would go to great lengths to ensure accountability for the deaths and other injustices committed against Kenyans.
“After documenting all the incidents, we will provide the evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions. If he fails to act, we will initiate private prosecutions,” Mr Maanzo said.
He added that the evidence would also be available for affected individuals to use in lawsuits against the government for compensation.
“We have no timeline. We will continue until everyone gets justice and the people are satisfied. This is a people’s initiative until they are satisfied, we will not stop,” he said.
Mr Maanzo said the commission’s secretariat and membership would be expanded from four to nine, including journalists, retired judges, senior lawyers, and representatives from international human rights organisations and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni expressed concern over increased incidences of extrajudicial killings, abductions, and forced disappearances of peaceful demonstrators.
“There is a need to open public inquests into all deaths and disappearances linked to protests. Individual officers and commanders implicated must be held accountable,” Mr Kioni said.
The launch of the PRJC at the historic Ufungamano House marked a key step by the opposition in ramping up pressure on President Ruto’s administration over governance failures.
During the launch, former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi said the initiative was a response to “too much trauma and atrocities in the country,” and stressed the need for justice and healing.
According to constitutional lawyer Bob Mkangi, the formation of the commission is another form of protest and a tactical move by the opposition to pressure the government.
Mr Mkangi noted that while the commission may be informed by Articles 1 and 2 of the Constitution, it lacks legal authority to summon witnesses.
“This is not a traditional commission of government. It therefore has no powers to summon anyone. Those who appear before it will do so voluntarily,” Mr Mkangi said.
He added that the commission’s recommendations may not be implemented, but would likely serve to embarrass the government on governance matters.
“Although its recommendations may not go far, I think they aim to shame the government for failing to address public concerns,” he said.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo also described the PRJC as a people’s initiative not anchored in law.
“Since it’s not established by law, it has no coercive powers to compel or summon anyone,” Dr Amollo said.
While welcoming the pursuit of justice, he cast doubt on the commission’s potential impact.
“Anything aimed at achieving greater justice is not a bad thing , but I don't see it going far,” he said.
Other members of the commission include political activist Fred Ogolla and Asha Bashir.