People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of arbitrary arrests, economic exploitation, and betrayal of democratic values.
Speaking during an interview on K24 TV on June 4, 2025, Karua accused the government of punishing critics and suppressing dissent while pretending to uphold democratic freedoms.
“Do not expect anything good from an executive that continues to lie to your face, give apologies with tongue-in-cheek and then continue to arbitrarily arrest, detain, and punish those with dissenting voices or those who are not part of their choir,” Karua declared.
The opposition leader warned that the administration’s continued disregard for public outcry—particularly from those opposing its economic and governance policies—signals a dangerous retreat from constitutionalism.
“Do not expect anything good from an executive that thinks only about themselves and is hell-bent on continuing with their plans even when Mwananchi protests,” she stated.
Karua rallied Kenyans to speak out boldly and resist what she termed exploitation from a self-serving and extractive regime, calling for a mass civic awakening to confront the government’s excesses.
“But let us all raise our voices. Your voice matters. My voice matters. Collectively, we will stop this extractive regime that is extracting the last drop of blood, the last coin, from people whose backs are already broken,” she urged.
Flawed budget
Karua also used the opportunity to criticise the proposed 2025/26 national budget, arguing that it prioritises elite interests over the constitutional rights of ordinary Kenyans.
“You can see this year’s budget is like the other two budgets passed by the William Ruto administration. It focuses on expenditure for the big boys and not the priorities of the people, not even those guaranteed under Article 43 of the Constitution, such as access to health and education,” she said.
Karua questioned unexplained allocations in the budget, including over Ksh2 billion set aside for undisclosed State House expenditures.
“There are items in that budget that are not rationalised. What are the other expenses for the State House, which are Ksh2 billion plus?” she asked.
Karua also took aim at proposed increases in fuel excise duty, warning that the move would further strain the economy and burden the already struggling public.
“Excise duty on fuel is going to make transport more costly; it has a triple effect across the economy. This year’s budget is going to bite. And that is what people need to know—it is not a Mwananchi’s budget,” she warned.
