Former Attorney-General Justin Muturi has vowed that he and his political allies will not be silenced after their convoy was pelted with stones and tear-gassed during an opposition tour in Migori Town on Thursday, an incident that heightened political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The violence erupted during the final stop of a two-day Ukombozi Tour led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, which also included Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa.
While earlier stops in Ntimaru, Kehancha and Posta Grounds were described as peaceful, the situation deteriorated in Migori Town when suspected goons began hurling stones at the leaders’ vehicles, shattering windows and prompting police to deploy tear gas.
In a strongly worded statement shared on social media, Muturi directly accused Suna East MP Junet Mohammed of orchestrating the attack, describing the incident as a violation of democratic freedoms and political tolerance.
“The attack on us in Migori Town by goons sent by Junet Mohammed is a blatant act of political intolerance and an assault on our democratic freedoms,” Muturi stated. “It is deeply disturbing that, instead of engaging in democratic competition, some political actors resort to violence and intimidation to silence opposing voices”.
Muturi further described the violence as an indication of desperation among political opponents, warning that attempts to intimidate opposition leaders would not succeed.
“This is the politics of cowardice and desperation. Those who believe they can unleash goons on opposition leaders and intimidate us into submission must understand that they have gravely underestimated our resolve,” he said.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who was leading the opposition delegation, also condemned the incident but directed his criticism at the police, accusing security officers of participating in the disruption of what he described as a peaceful meeting.
Kalonzo questioned why police officers deployed tear gas at supporters, suggesting that the chaos had been deliberately engineered to provide justification for the security response.
“The police lobbed tear gas, why? A very peaceful meeting. I think the script is to throw stones and then throw tear gas,” Kalonzo said. “To put the life of a leader at risk is a serious miscalculation. Stones and tear gas could not stop us from addressing the great people of Migori”.
Despite the confrontation, Kalonzo maintained that the opposition would continue with its planned rallies in Homa Bay County on Friday, insisting that the incident would not derail their political activities or campaign against the current administration.
The attack in Migori carried significant political weight because the region is traditionally an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) stronghold. The party was led by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose political influence remains significant in the region.
The opposition leaders, including Kalonzo and Muturi, were touring the area to consolidate political support and invoke their historical ties to Raila as they seek to win over local voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The confrontation also contrasted with the reception Muturi had received earlier in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, where residents reportedly stopped his convoy to meet him.
The different experiences highlighted the political tensions surrounding the opposition tour and the challenges facing leaders seeking support in the region.
Muturi subsequently demanded accountability, warning against the normalization of violence and intimidation as tools of political competition.
“You may send goons to attack us, but you cannot intimidate the people of Kenya into surrendering their democratic freedom. We shall stand firm, speak boldly and continue fighting for a democratic Kenya,” he declared.
