As the country hurtles toward the 2027 general elections, a shift in political dynamics is becoming more evident.
In a bold and controversial move, a growing number of Members of Parliament are beginning to openly challenge the government’s policies, with some accusing President William Ruto of hypocrisy on both domestic and international fronts.
The tension between the government and opposition leaders has reached a new high with former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi making a scathing attack on President Ruto’s administration.
Muturi, who has been a strong ally of the president in the past, has recently voiced his frustration with what he calls Ruto’s “double standards” on critical issues such as the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rising wave of extrajudicial killings targeting Kenyan youth.
Speaking to the press in Nairobi, Muturi did not mince words:“How can you condemn human rights abuses in the DRC and yet turn a blind eye to the killings of our own youth back home? The hypocrisy is nauseating.”
“If Ruto is really committed to peace and democracy, he should first ensure that the lives of Kenyan citizens are respected. He should address the mounting cases of abductions and killings happening right here in our own country.”
Muturi’s remarks have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, signaling a growing unease within the government ranks. His criticisms were particularly pointed regarding the government’s handling of the situation in the DRC, where Kenya has been a key player in the peacekeeping efforts through the East African Community Regional Force.
While President Ruto has been vocal about his administration’s commitment to resolving the DRC crisis, Muturi accused him of using the international stage to deflect attention from domestic issues.
“They talk about peace in the DRC, yet every day young Kenyans are disappearing in the streets, killed by those meant to protect them. This government has no moral high ground to lecture the world on human rights when it cannot even secure the safety of its own citizens,” Muturi declared, sparking heated debates across the political spectrum.
The remarks come at a time when the opposition party, Orange Democratic Movement, has ramped up its rhetoric against the government’s increasing authoritarian tendencies. ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has continued label the current administration as “out of touch” with the reality facing ordinary Kenyans.
“In the name of development, this government is trampling on the very people it is supposed to serve. From the skyrocketing cost of living to the rising cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings, the Ruto administration has lost all credibility. We are witnessing the assassination of our future. This government is killing its youth,” Sifuna told a crowd of supporters in Kisumu.
The accusations of extrajudicial killings have been particularly damaging for Ruto’s administration. Human rights organizations, both local and international, have raised concerns about the growing number of reported cases where young Kenyans have been abducted, tortured, and killed by security forces under unclear circumstances. While the government has repeatedly denied any involvement in such activities, many citizens remain unconvinced.
Legislatures from the opposition have used these allegations to fuel their criticism of the government. Kisii Senator Richard Onyoka, a government critic, was quick to weigh in.
“It is not just the DRC that requires peace, but Kenya itself. We are in the midst of a human rights crisis here. It’s time the president takes responsibility for the lives of his people. These deaths cannot be swept under the rug,”said Onyonka before a panel interview on Citizen TV.
The wave of political backlash against the government is not confined to the opposition. A significant faction of MPs, including members from Ruto own UDA party, have started questioning some of the president’s key policies, particularly in relation to the security sector and governance.
“I have been silent for a long time, but it is becoming impossible to ignore the suffering of our people,” said Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko, a member of UDA.
“We need to have a serious conversation about the direction this country is taking. The way the government is handling security and human rights is not only wrong, it is dangerous for our democracy.”
Tobiko’s comments reflect a broader frustration within the ruling party, as some MPs worry that the president’s hardline approach to security is alienating key voter demographics ahead of the 2027 election.
Ruto’s handling of the DRC peacekeeping mission has also raised eyebrows. The president has been vocal in his support for peace talks between the government of DRC and the M23 rebel group, even as reports emerge of ongoing violence in the region.
Critics argue that while Ruto positions himself as a peacekeeper abroad, he is failing to address the rising violence and human rights violations within Kenya’s borders.
“The president is not a peacekeeper in Kenya. He is an enabler of state violence,” said Senator Nyutu. “This rhetoric of ‘peacekeeping’ abroad is just a façade to cover up the real issues at home.”
The mounting criticism, particularly from MPs in key positions of power, signals a possible shift in the political landscape as the 2027 election approaches. Political analysts suggest that this growing discontent within the ranks of the ruling party could lead to a realignment of forces as the election draws nearer.
“Ruto’s ability to unite his political base is being tested,” said political analyst Javas Bigambo.
“If MPs within his own party are openly speaking out against government policies, it may signal that cracks are beginning to show in the UDA camp. It remains to be seen whether the president can regain control or if this will evolve into a full-blown rebellion within his party.”
The question now remains: will President Ruto’s leadership withstand the mounting criticism, or will the cracks continue to widen? Only time will tell.
