Nairobi – Kenyan opposition parties have provided a scathing response to President William Ruto’s public apology that he delivered at the National Prayer Breakfast, calling it shallow.
While praising the president’s gesture of reconciliation, parties described the apology as lacking accountability and faulted Ruto for presiding over an increasingly intolerant government.
The six-party joint statement, signed by People’s Liberation Party, Jubilee, Wiper, KANU, DAPK and DP, came hours later after the president’s statement.
Opposition shunned Ruto’s apology:
Why Ruto apologized for the political tensions and diplomatic tensions, particularly with neighboring Tanzania.
The opposition, however, were quick to dismiss the apology as mere “political theatre,” citing what they termed as systematic human rights abuse, rising state oppression, and failure to safeguard Kenyan citizens abroad.
The parties quoted that Ruto’s statement fell below the crisis leadership required during the crisis and increasing regional anxiety about abuses of human rights.
“While this shift in tone is welcome, we need to remind the President that apologies, however heartfelt, have to be accompanied by action if they are to count for anything among the Kenyan people. If the President is sincere about being sorry, we call on him to demonstrate his remorse,” the joint statement, which TUKO.co.ke has obtained, reads.
At the center of their grievances is the handling of PLP leader Martha Karua and activist Boniface Mwangi, both of whom were arrested and deported forcibly while in Tanzania on visitation.
The opposition caucus insisted that the president’s refusal to comment on the incidents amounts to complicity and the breach of the constitutional duty of protection of all citizens regardless of political leanings.
“No corner of the globe is there where a head of state does not come to the defense of their citizens when attacked and insulted by other nations. Ruto’s silence, his failure to denounce, let alone recognize, the wanton disregard for human rights in the treatment of Martha Karua and Boniface Mwangi, is a denouncement of his character and penchant for undermining gains in human rights,” the parties averred.
Besides the diplomatic blunders, the opposition referred to a wider trend of crackdowns under Ruto’s administration.
They pointed out abductions, torture, and politically motivated prosecutions they described as part of a drive to crush the opposition and silence voices, particularly from Gen Z activists who have resorted to social media to demand reforms.
What are opposition parties’ call for Ruto
The groups demanded justice for the victims of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions, and full reparations for the affected families.
They also asked the legislative measures to be withdrawn immediately that aimed to curb the digital liberties, particularly those directed towards silencing online opposition.
“Proposals that are a bid to muzzle social media, which is still an important platform for civic engagement and accountability,” they said.
Also as chairman of the EAC, Ruto was reminded of his responsibility to protect the democratic values of the regional bloc.
The parties urged him to take the lead and pressurize his peers, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, to call a halt to the ongoing crackdown on the opposition leaders.
