People's Liberation Party (PIP) leader Martha Karua has condemned the escalating attacks on the Linda Mwananchi faction, warning that the growing use of sponsored violence to disrupt political gatherings is an insult to Kenya's democracy.
The PLP boss accused President William Ruto's administration of continuously encouraging attacks on his political opponents yet remained tight-lipped on upholding the dictates of democracy.
"If you cannot handle political competition, resign. Do not destabilize on entire country simply because its people are demanding a different choice," she said in a statement on Sunday.
She referred to the Sunday attack against the Linda Mwananchi movement in Homa Bay County, where goons armed with crude weapons disrupted a public rally which forced the closure of businesses and left two journalists.
Karua said that sponsored political violence is slowly gaining prominence, terming it a vice that will have dire ramifications in maintaining national security.
"These incidents cannot be viewed in isolation. The repeated nature of these incidents raises serious questions about the growing use of organized violence to intimidate political opponents and restrict citizens' constitutional freedoms. Political goonism is not democracy," she said.
Karua stated that political competition should not be reduced to a violence mobilising contest and silencing opponents.
The attack against the Linda Mwananchi brigade has also been condemned by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, alleging that President Ruto's administration is hatching a plot to compromise the 2027 General Election.
President Ruto is planning to "escape" the polls by sponsoring mayhem to disrupt peace during elections.
