Nairobi, Kenya – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has issued a searing rebuke of President William Ruto’s administration, accusing the government of presiding over a brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators and warning of early signs of electoral manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a forceful statement delivered on July 14, Sifuna condemned what he described as the “killing of our young people”during the recent Saba Saba protests, which saw nationwide demonstrations met with a heavy police response. “Our people are being murdered, and those covering it up should be ashamed,” the senator declared. His remarks have intensified calls for an independent inquiry into allegations of excessive and lethal force used by security agencies.

The senator, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), warned that the opposition will not remain silent in the face of escalating repression. “We will not shed tears for leaders who have shed the blood of their own people,” he said, vowing to pursue accountability for human rights abuses linked to the state’s response to the protests.

Sifuna’s comments come amid growing public outrage over the conduct of the police during the July demonstrations, which commemorated the anniversary of the 1990 Saba Saba pro-democracy protests. Rights groups have reported multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries, many involving young protesters.

Beyond the issue of police brutality, Sifuna sounded the alarm over what he claimed were early moves to manipulate the 2027 elections, accusing the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition of laying the groundwork for electoral malpractice. While he did not provide specific evidence, the allegation has injected a new level of urgency into political discourse, as opposition leaders increasingly question the integrity of the country’s democratic institutions.

Political analysts warn that such accusations—especially when made this far ahead of an election—could deepen mistrust in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and destabilize Kenya’s already fragile political climate. The government has yet to formally respond to Sifuna’s allegations.

Meanwhile, civil society organizations and human rights watchdogs are intensifying their demands for transparency, justice for victims of police violence, and assurances that future elections will be free and fair.

With tensions rising, Sifuna’s fiery address underscores the opposition’s intent to challenge the government both in the streets and in Parliament—setting the stage for a protracted and potentially volatile political showdown in the lead-up to 2027.