What was meant to be a routine public engagement rally for Rigathi Gachagua in Kagio, Mwea, turned into a chaotic scene of smoke and sirens as police deployed tear gas against his entourage.
The incident has not only sparked public outcry but has also drawn a sharp, principled rebuke from Martha Karua.
Reacting to the skirmishes, Karua has not minced her words.
Her message to President William Ruto is clear that leadership is defined by service, not the suppression of dissent.
She has emphasized that the hallmark of a functioning democracy is tolerance, highlighting that the use of state machinery to intimidate political figures undermines the very foundation of the constitution.
"Democracy demands tolerance, not intimidation," Karua has noted, pointing out that silencing critics does little to solve the underlying issues facing the country.
Beyond the immediate shock of the police intervention, Karua’s lecture served as a reminder of the government's core mandates.
She has argued that the energy currently spent on policing political opponents would be better directed toward tackling systemic corruption and addressing the rising cost of living.
For many ordinary Kenyans, the sight of political leaders being teargased is a distraction from the daily struggle to put food on the table.
The Sagana incident serves as a litmus test for the administration's commitment to civil liberties.
Karua’s intervention reminds us that respect for the opposition is not a favor granted by the state, but a requirement of law.
As the political temperature rises, the call for a shift from might is right to constructive dialogue has never been more urgent.
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