Return to sender: Kalonzo, opposition reject Ruto Gen Z apology

Mr Musyoka said the apology was an insult to the grieving families whose innocent children were killed by police bullets.

"First, tell the country who killed the Gen Zs before asking for forgiveness. The truth has to be put in the open for justice to be done before any reconciliation," said Mr Musyoka. 

Each of the speakers from the ten political parties in attendance said there was no apology without repentance and that President Ruto should first acknowledge the evils committed by his government against Kenyans. 

Former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who was dropped in the latest cabinet reshuffle, said abductions and extrajudicial killings cannot be wished away through a half-hearted apology. 

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"We cannot accept Ruto's apology without a proper mechanism for justice to all the victims of abductions and state-sponsored killings," said Mr Muturi, whose son was allegedly among those abducted. 

'Admission of guilt'

DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa said Mr Ruto’s apology was an admission of guilt and a contradiction to explanations given by his security officers. 

"We are not strangers in Kenya, we are used to fabricated lies by police since the days of the murder of Moi era Cabinet Minister Robert Ouko," said Mr Wamalwa, in apparent reference to police claims that Juja MP George Koimburi faked his own abduction. 

Former Secretary General of President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Cleophas Malala, said there was a difference between apology and repentance.

"We cannot accept apologies for sins which are not confessed. President Ruto should take seriously and compensate families whose loved ones were killed, and ensure an end to extrajudicial killings," said Mr Malala.

2027 politics

Before thousands of their supporters seated under tree shades in a sprawling 20-acre park, in front of Mr Musyoka's Tseikuru home, the opposition leaders urged for patience in naming their presidential flag bearer. 

They pledged to stick together and assured Kenyans that they'll nominate one of them to face President Ruto in 2027. 

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said President Ruto’s camp was burning the midnight oil to cause political divisions within the opposition and that they were careful to avoid the pitfalls of state machinations. 

"We are going to announce the team and our political formation at the right time to avoid infiltration by our political rivals," said Mr Gachagua.

However, the former DP said the Mount Kenya region was willing to return favour to Ukambani region by backing Mr Musyoka's presidential candidacy, on condition that the unregistered voters in the region are mobilized to achieve the sufficient numbers. 

"The Kamba community has been very kind to us from the Mount Kenya region, and we'll never forget how you stood with us during the impeachment proceedings against me. We are grateful and feel indebted to reciprocate those favours" he said. 

Mr Gachagua and his host Mr Musyoka, urged young Kenyans, especially the GenZs, to ensure they register as voters in order to achieve their dream of making Mr Ruto a one-term President. 

"There are more than nine million young Kenyans who are not registered as voters, some of them don't even have National Identity Cards. We must make this a priority to ensure prospective voters are not left out," said Mr Musyoka.