NARC-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua addressing members of the press at the party offices in Nairobi on August 22, 2024.
By Peace Muthoka.
The National Rainbow Coalition–Kenya (NARC) Leader Martha Karua has issued a powerful statement condemning the Kenyan government for its continued suppression of civil liberties, human rights abuses, and blatant disregard for the constitution. Karua’s statement, titled “Lest We Forget,” was a clarion call to the nation to remain vigilant and resist the creeping authoritarianism that threatens to erode Kenya’s hard-won democratic gains.
In her statement, Karua highlighted the unresolved issues that continue to plague the country, despite the apparent calm that has followed months of protests and civil unrest. She warned that this calm is deceptive, as the root causes of the unrest including abuse of power, human rights violations, and lack of accountability—remain unaddressed. According to Karua, the oppressive political climate continues to stifle the voices of citizens, particularly the youth, who have been targeted by government forces.
Karua accused President William Ruto’s administration of systematically undermining civil liberties and casting aside the constitution. She pointed to the widespread human rights abuses reported during the recent “Gen Z” protests, where over 60 young people lost their lives due to police brutality. The Kenya Human Rights Commission corroborates these claims, noting that hundreds more were injured, abducted, or arbitrarily arrested and detained on trumped-up charges, often turning up dead or severely injured.
The former justice minister expressed deep concern over the blatant disregard for court orders by law enforcement agencies. Karua cited a specific case where the Malindi High Court issued an order on June 24, 2034, restraining the police from interfering with peaceful protests. Despite this, the police continued to use excessive force, including live ammunition and tear gas, to disperse demonstrators across the country. This, she argued, is a clear indication that the Ruto regime is operating with impunity and is intent on silencing any form of dissent.
Karua warned that Kenya is on the brink of anarchy if these abuses are allowed to continue unchecked. She emphasized that the government’s actions are not only a threat to democracy but also to the very fabric of society. As the country approaches the 14th anniversary of the promulgation of the Kenyan Constitution on August 27, Karua urged citizens to reflect on how far the nation has strayed from the promises enshrined in that document, particularly the protection of human and socio-economic rights.
Education, another pillar of society, has not been spared in this onslaught. Karua criticized recent government initiatives aimed at building new dormitories, arguing that these are merely schemes to enrich the well-connected elite at the expense of the nation’s children. She called for proper investment in existing educational facilities and fair compensation for teachers, who are often overworked and underpaid. The right to education, she said, is being sacrificed on the altar of crony capitalism.
The NARC Kenya leader also highlighted the erosion of accountability within the government. She linked the protests against the Finance Bill 2014 to the government’s refusal to listen to the people and its disregard for transparency and accountability—core principles of the constitution. Karua expressed fear that the government might reintroduce controversial elements of the rejected bill, further straining its relationship with the public.
In her concluding remarks, Karua called on all Kenyans to remain vigilant and resist the authoritarian tendencies of the current regime. She emphasized that the country belongs to its citizens, not the ruling elite, and urged the media, human rights organizations, and the international community to continue demanding accountability for the lives lost, the rights violated, and the promises broken. According to Karua, only by standing together and refusing to be complacent can Kenyans hope to restore their democracy and protect their human rights.
