Opposition leaders intensified their attacks on President William Ruto’s administration on Sunday, accusing the government of presiding over rising intolerance, insecurity and economic hardship.

While rallying support for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s presidential bid, the leaders said Kenya had degenerated into a country where citizens were being profiled on the basis of their political affiliations.

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“It is shameful that more than 60 years after independence, a Kenyan appears to need a visa to visit another part of their own country because of politics,” Matiang’i said during a church service at ACK St Peters Kiganda in Mathioya, after which the leaders conducted rallies in various local towns.

The former Interior CS was responding to recent confrontations in Kisumu involving members of the Linda Mwananchi movement, an opposition-aligned pressure group whose meeting in the lakeside city was disrupted by rowdy youth amid claims they were unwelcome because of their political leanings.

The incident sparked national debate over political intolerance and freedom of movement, with opposition leaders accusing the State of failing to protect constitutional rights and warning against a return to the divisive politics witnessed during the 2007/08 post-election violence.

Matiang’i said no Kenyan should be barred from visiting, living or doing business in any part of the country, regardless of political affiliation.

“If I were president, that kind of nonsense would not happen in my country. Those responsible would already have been arrested and preparing for prosecution,” he said.

He urged Kenyans to reject divisive politics and support leaders committed to restoring order, accountability and economic stability, saying the country needed action rather than rhetoric.

Former Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura said the country risked repeating past mistakes if voters failed to reject what he termed politics of lies, insults and tribalism.

“We must stop politics of hatred and tribalism. Kenya belongs to all of us, and every citizen must feel safe wherever they are,” Gitura said.

Gitura said his support for Matiang’i was informed by the former CS’s record in public service, likening his leadership style to that of former President Mwai Kibaki.

“He reminds me of Kibaki—he does not talk too much, he works. We need politics of development, not insults,” he said.

Former Mathioya MP Peter Kimari, on his part, emphasised the need for residents to unite in the elections and cast their votes in the same basket.

“Many sectors are currently struggling. We want someone who will come in and streamline things,” he said.

Former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba, who is eyeing the Kisii Woman Representative seat, said the events witnessed in the country were deeply troubling and urged Kenyans to scrutinise the track record of leaders before making electoral decisions.

Taraiya Ole Kores, who is seeking the Kajiado governor seat on a Jubilee ticket, described Matiang’i as a proven fixer, citing his tenure as Interior CS during which he said insecurity in pastoralist regions was significantly reduced.

Jubilee officials led by former Sports CAS Zack Kinuthia declared that the party had fully thrown its weight behind Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions, terming him the best-placed leader to “right the wrongs” of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The leaders also faulted the government over the rising cost of education, saying increased school levies had made learning unaffordable for many families.

Matiang’i accused the administration of overburdening parents through excessive charges in schools and mismanagement of the education sector, despite promises to make education more accessible.

He also took issue with what he described as the politicisation of development projects, saying national leaders had reduced governance to endless groundbreaking ceremonies and project launches.

“This country has become a nation of foundation stones—everywhere you go it is launches, plaques and ceremonies instead of actual delivery,” he said.

The opposition leaders maintained that despite internal differences, parties within the emerging opposition coalition remained united in their resolve to field a single candidate against President Ruto in the next general election.

Their visit came just a day after President William Ruto concluded his two-day developmental tour of the county in which he hit at the opposition.