The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) has accused President Ruto’s administration of weaponizing anti-terror laws to suppress dissent and punish Gen Z protestors, warning that the criminalization of youth activism marks a dangerous slide back into authoritarian rule as the country heads toward the 2027 elections.
Kenyan opposition leaders under the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing reign of terror by President William Ruto’s administration, citing the criminalisation of dissent and increasing use of anti-terror laws against peaceful protesters.
Addressing the press at Chui House in Nairobi, DAP-K Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa criticised the state’s response to the recent Gen Z–led demonstrations, terming it a return to dictatorship masked as constitutional order. He accused the government of misusing laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act to silence youth voices, clamp down on civic expression, and punish digital activists.
“The criminal justice system has been fully weaponized. Protesters are being tried as terrorists,” Wamalwa said, referencing over 100 young people reportedly facing terrorism-related charges following the nationwide protests against the Finance Bill 2025.
Wamalwa’s remarks followed the arrest and release of popular TikToker Godfrey Mwasiaga, widely known as Kakan Maiyo, who was picked up by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) earlier this month. Maiyo had posted viral videos calling for an end to enforced disappearances and police brutality, particularly targeting Gen Z protesters. His arrest sparked nationwide outrage, and his eventual release was seen by many as a temporary retreat by the state amid public pressure.
Speaking at the same event, Maiyo drew a sharp analogy likening Kenya to a company, where the citizens are the owners and elected leaders are employees who must serve. He urged political leaders to stop demanding honorifics and instead do the job for which they were elected.
“You are not ‘mheshimiwa’ until we see the work. Kenyans are the shareholders in this company. Leaders must be accountable to the people. The profits of this company must be felt by all Kenyans,” he said.
Wamalwa described the use of anti-terror laws against peaceful demonstrators as a deliberate attempt to make protests expensive, dangerous, and treasonable. He warned that this approach would only fuel more unrest and resistance. “No amount of abductions or state-sponsored violence will silence the people. The issues Gen Z are raising are real, and they won’t go away with intimidation.”
The opposition leader also questioned the intentions of the government in branding protesters and vocal citizens as national security threats, noting that the same youth are the ones who carried the hopes of the 2010 Constitution—a constitution, he reminded the President, Ruto opposed at the time.
Wamalwa, a former Cabinet Secretary and long-time opposition figure, used the opportunity to confirm that he had been cleared by DAP-K to be the party’s presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election. He also received the party’s mandate to begin coalition-building efforts with other like-minded parties.
“We are committed to uniting and liberating this country from a regime that was founded on the blood of our Gen Z children and continues with impunity to shed innocent blood. Our unity as a coalition is not optional—it is urgent,” Wamalwa stated.
The party said it would not be baited into premature naming of the broader opposition’s presidential candidate, terming such debates a trap set by state operatives to divide the movement. Wamalwa also urged other opposition players to stay focused on the bigger goal—removing what he termed “a corrupt, blood-based government” from office in 2027.
DAP-K also announced it would field candidates in the upcoming by-elections in Malava, Ugunja, Magarini and various wards, officially welcoming aspirants including Chris Budo, Seth Panyako, and Feisal Gedi to the party ticket.
The party’s message to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was one of cautious optimism. While welcoming the newly appointed team led by Chairperson Ethekon, DAP-K stressed the need for immediate action and transparency.
“Kenyans are watching. These by-elections will be a litmus test for the IEBC’s independence. We cannot afford another false start. We expect urgency, accountability, and the restoration of public trust,” Wamalwa said.
As tensions between the government and a restless public continue to rise, today’s address by DAP-K served as both a rallying cry and a warning—that the opposition is regrouping, and that the voices of Kenya’s youth will not be muted without consequence.
