Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has accused President William Ruto of perpetuating historical land injustices at the Kenyan Coast, alleging that the head of state is actively involved in grabbing large tracts of public land in the region.

Speaking on the second day of his tour across the Coast, Kalonzo addressed gatherings in Mtwapa, Kilifi South, and Kongowea, where he made sensational claims that vast pieces of land in Shakahola, Kilifi County, Mrima in Kwale, and Dongo Kundu were being taken over under Ruto’s administration.

“In the Mrima area of Kwale where rare earth minerals are extracted for manufacturing computers and other gadgets, 10,000 acres have been grabbed. In Dongo Kundu, people are being displaced while new buyers are brought in to purchase land in small plots. The same is happening in Shakahola,” Kalonzo alleged.

He criticised Coast leaders for their silence, lamenting that only a handful, including Taireni elders, were raising funds to seek legal redress while local MPs watched idly.

“I am here to ignite your anger because I am also angry and I cannot sit back and watch Kenyans’ rights being trampled upon. Our leaders are quiet as our land is stolen right under our noses,” he said.

Kalonzo also condemned what he described as rampant killings of young Kenyans under Ruto’s rule, painting a grim picture of a nation drowning in anger, frustration, and pain.

“This government promised jobs for our youth, but instead, what do we see? Young people are being abducted and murdered in cold blood by the very leaders they voted for,” he said.

Recalling his tenure as Vice-President under President Mwai Kibaki, Kalonzo noted that their administration had scrapped taxes on bodaboda spare parts to create employment opportunities. However, he lamented that today’s youth were trapped in the bodaboda sector with no way out.

“The bodaboda economy was never meant to be a permanent solution. But due to joblessness, our youth are now forced to work and retire in the same sector. This must change,” he declared.

He further accused Ruto’s administration of prioritizing intimidation and suppression over governance, saying, “Instead of focusing on making Kenya self-reliant, this government is investing heavily in machinery to kill and silence Kenyans.”

Kalonzo took issue with President Ruto’s use of harsh language and threats, warning that the era of intimidation was long gone.

“He keeps saying Nitawasafirisha (I will deport you). The other day, he said he would ‘transport’ a businessman. A woman who spoke out about SHA and SHIF was manhandled for telling the truth. And now, young people who dared to say ‘Ruto must go’ are being threatened. What does he mean by all this?” Kalonzo questioned.

He also criticized the administration for failing to address the country’s ailing healthcare sector, particularly after the withdrawal of U.S.-funded programs.

“Kenyan lives are at stake, and this government must figure out how to provide quality healthcare instead of focusing on oppression,” he asserted.

Kalonzo hailed a recent court ruling that declared Azimio the rightful majority in Parliament, accusing Ruto’s government of manipulating numbers to create an artificial majority.

“The same court that awarded him the presidency has now exposed how he stole the majority. Azimio MPs must take their rightful place in Parliament,” he urged.

He called on ODM leaders in Ruto’s government—Hassan Ali Joho, John Mbadi, and Opiyo Wandayi—to resign immediately and allow the opposition to fully assert its influence in Parliament.

“We must block every effort by this administration to burden Kenyans with more taxes. Any proposal to increase taxes must be shot down without hesitation,” Kalonzo stated.

Positioning himself as the alternative to Ruto’s rule, Kalonzo vowed that if elected as Kenya’s sixth president in 2027, his administration would restore the rule of law and ensure Kenyans live without fear of abduction.

“The June 25, 2024, protests gave birth to a new Kenya. We will build on that momentum to bring real change,” he said.

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu threw his weight behind Kalonzo, praising his track record.

“He was the brains behind the bodaboda economy and the affordable smartphones we enjoy today,” Waititu said, urging Coast leaders to support Kalonzo just as the Mt Kenya communities community had backed Kalonzo.

He admitted that Mount Kenya voters fell prey to “Ruto lies” and gave him all the votes to hand him victory.

“We listened to his lies and we voted for him but now we are regretting. But we were not alone, Boda Boda also listened to the lies, the Church, Mama Mboga and all the hustlers,” Waititu said.

Kitui Rural MP David Mboni Mwalika echoed these sentiments, accusing Ruto of failing to deliver on his promises.

“He said he would fix the economy, but it’s worse. He promised jobs, but there are none. He vowed to fight corruption, but instead, it has flourished,” Mwalika said.

Kathiani MP Robert Mbui added his voice, demanding an end to extrajudicial killings and oppressive taxation.

“Ruto should stop killing our sons and daughters and raiding our payslips,” Mbui declared.