Opposition Leaders Accuse Ruto of Police Uniform Graft at Meru Rally
Meru County – The Linda Mwananchi movement made its first foray into the Mt Kenya region on Sunday, holding a charged rally in Meru County where opposition leaders launched a coordinated attack on President William Ruto’s administration over the disputed Ksh 2.5 billion police uniform tender while solidifying their 2027 election strategy.
The rally, hosted by former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, marked the movement’s strategic expansion into the region after earlier tours in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, and Homa Bay. Mwangaza, who was removed from office by the Senate in August 2024 following a third impeachment attempt, formally aligned herself with the movement earlier this year. She told the crowd that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s campaign is funded by ordinary supporters rather than personal wealth, framing the movement as a genuine bottom-up operation.
Police Uniform Tender Under Intense Scrutiny
The sharpest exchanges centered on the new police uniform unveiled by President Ruto at the National Police College in Kiganjo on Friday. The rollout has drawn intense scrutiny over the identity of the supplier and the contract’s value, with opposition leaders alleging massive corruption.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale told the rally he had been informed by a River Road tailor that the uniform could be produced for approximately Ksh 14,000 rather than the Ksh 39,000 figure he cited. He alleged that the difference amounted to Ksh 1.6 billion lost to the public. However, Khalwale did not name the tailor or produce documentation to support the figures.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino put the total cost of the uniform programme at Ksh 2.5 billion and questioned the government’s priorities.
“Students have not entered university and colleges because their parents have no school fees. Then the government spends 2.5 billion to bring police uniforms. Is this foolishness or not?” Owino asked the crowd.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi went further, alleging that the President had steered the uniform supply contract towards his own child. The claim goes beyond what has so far been established publicly and has not been substantiated.
The uniform tender has been under pressure since Friday, with DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa demanding full disclosure of the supplier and the award process. Reports have linked the registered address of the contracted firm to businesses associated with the President’s family, though police headquarters have since clarified that the contract was lawfully awarded to Bedi Investments Limited, dismissing reports that Nalitex Limited had won the tender.
Explosive Allegations and Political Attacks
In the most striking remark of the afternoon, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka told the crowd he had been given money to vote for Mwangaza’s impeachment but had taken it and voted against her removal. Onyonka went on to describe Sifuna as the movement’s “number nine,” a reference to the senator’s standing within the outfit.
Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga challenged the President over the fallout with Mwangaza, questioning what had been sought from her and refused before her impeachment.
Osotsi turned on Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, warning him that his seat was under threat. He also put the succession question directly to the crowd, asking who they wanted as president in 2027.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya trained his fire on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), accusing the commission of running enhanced voter registration in the Rift Valley while other regions received only regular registration. He demanded uniform treatment countrywide and dismissed the government’s development pitch, saying the opposition’s priority was fighting corruption.
President Ruto had earlier expressed disappointment over low voter registration numbers in his Rift Valley stronghold, revealing that 1.8 million eligible Kalenjin voters with IDs had not registered.
Opposition Unity and 2027 Strategy
Political commentator Pauline Njoroge told the gathering that efforts to fracture the Mt Kenya vote would fail, insisting the region was united behind a single candidate and behind the “One Term” slogan the opposition has adopted against President Ruto.
Babu Owino used his slot to restate his declaration of support for Sifuna’s presidential bid, telling those he accused of trying to split the movement to “take their business elsewhere.” The declaration followed days of speculation about a rift between the two, which Owino publicly dismissed on Wednesday.
Sifuna closed the rally by responding to Ruto’s characterisation of him, saying the President had dismissed the movement and called him slow.
“He said I am slow. I am not slow. I will not be intimidated. I will answer insult with insult,” Sifuna declared.
The senator said Kenyans wanted to live freely rather than face live fire, and dismissed the government’s manifesto as untruthful. He ended on the administration’s shifting slogans, saying Ruto had entered office on the “Hustler” platform and would leave on “One Term.”
Sifuna also accused the administration of recruiting young people as hired disruptors instead of creating formal employment, and warned that any attempt to disrupt the Meru rally would be met head-on.
Government Response
Neither State House nor the National Police Service had responded to the allegations raised at the rally by the time of publication.
Key Takeaways
| Issue | Opposition Claim | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Police Uniform Tender | Cost inflated from Ksh 14,000 to Ksh 39,000 per unit | Unsubstantiated |
| Contract Award | Allegedly steered to President’s family business | Not publicly established |
| IEBC Registration | Enhanced registration in Rift Valley only | Claim disputed |
| Mwangaza Impeachment | Senators allegedly bribed to vote for removal | Unverified |
| 2027 Strategy | “One Term” slogan against Ruto | Active campaign |
What This Means for 2027
The Meru rally represents a significant milestone for the Linda Mwananchi movement as it expands into the politically crucial Mt Kenya region. With Sifuna emerging as a leading opposition figure and the movement working to build a broader coalition—including signals from Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka about potentially deputising Sifuna—the political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election is rapidly taking shape.
The opposition’s strategy centers on:
- Corruption narrative targeting the Ruto administration
- “One Term” slogan to limit the President’s political lifespan
- Unity in Mt Kenya to prevent fragmentation of the vote
- IEBC accountability over claims of regional bias
Stay updated on Kenya’s evolving political landscape. Bookmark this page for the latest developments on the Linda Mwananchi movement, the 2027 elections, and opposition strategies against the Ruto administration.