Opposition leaders under the United Alternative Government (UAG) have accused President William Ruto of planning to interfere with the 2027 General Election through the alleged illegal issuance of identity cards and passports to foreign nationals.
The leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Justin Muturi and Mithika Linturi, claimed that the alleged plan is aimed at registering foreigners as voters and using foreign militias to influence the election outcome.
They said the move could undermine the credibility of the country’s electoral process if not addressed early.According to the leaders, foreign nationals from Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania are allegedly being unlawfully added to Kenya’s voter register.
They also alleged that groups of youth from Burundi are being distributed across different parts of the country and are intended to act as agents of political violence during the election period.
“The consequences for ordinary Kenyans are both immediate and lasting: heightened scrutiny at international borders, severe complications in obtaining visas for education and employment, lasting reputational damage to the Kenyan passport, and the erosion of bilateral trust with Western and regional partners. This is not a partisan matter. It is a matter of national security,” Kalonzo stated.
The opposition further alleged that the integrity of the Kenyan passport has been compromised through the alleged issuance of travel documents to individuals linked to criminal networks and sanctioned groups.
They claimed that some of the documents have allegedly been issued to individuals connected to Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group involved in the conflict in Sudan.
In addition, the leaders accused the government of failing to protect Kenyan citizens who have reportedly been recruited into foreign conflicts.
They claimed that more than 30 Kenyans have already returned home after allegedly being forced into military service in Russia during the war in Ukraine.
According to the opposition, some of these young people had initially been promised employment opportunities abroad before finding themselves in combat situations.
“These are sons and daughters of Kenya who have been deceived, exploited, and abandoned. This regime’s response has been to deflect, deny, and scapegoat junior officials. We ask Mr Ruto: How many more Kenyans must die on foreign soil before your regime accepts responsibility?” Kalonzo posed.
The opposition leaders also criticised the government over reports that some Kenyans stranded in countries across the Middle East were asked to pay for their own return tickets back home.
They argued that repatriating citizens facing distress abroad is the constitutional responsibility of the state and should not be left to individuals who may already be in difficult situations.
They further claimed that weak immigration controls and security systems have allowed Kenya to become a possible hub for regional criminal networks operating across borders.
The United Opposition issued seven demands to the government. Among them was a call for an immediate independent parliamentary inquiry into the alleged irregular issuance of passports and national identity documents.
They also demanded criminal investigations into networks suspected of recruiting Kenyan citizens into foreign combat roles.
The coalition further asked the government to provide a full public account of Kenyans who may currently be involved in foreign conflicts.
They also called for the immediate and fully government-funded return of all Kenyan citizens stranded in the Middle East and other regions, insisting that no Kenyan should be required to pay for their own ticket home.
The opposition demanded a formal diplomatic clarification confirming Kenya’s neutrality and non-alignment with any foreign military campaign that violates international law.
They also called for a comprehensive review of Kenya’s anti-money laundering systems, counter-terrorism financing measures and immigration control processes.
The leaders urged the government to fully adhere to the Constitution and ensure compensation in cases where individuals were wrongly taken or handed over to other countries.
