Gatanga MP Muriu praises Uhuru for firm stand on extrajudicial killings
By David Nthua, August 29, 2025Gatanga Member of Parliament (MP) Edward Muriu has hailed former President Uhuru Kenyatta over his firm stance on human rights violations.
Speaking to Kameme TV on Friday, August 29, 2025, Muriu said that Uhuru, just like President William Ruto, had the power to order a crackdown on protesters but chose restraint even during heightened political unrest.
According to the lawmaker, the structure of parliamentary leadership has always been influenced by the Executive, both during Uhuru’s tenure and now under Ruto’s regime.
Muriu recalled how former National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale was removed when he shifted allegiance to Ruto’s Tangatanga movement.
“The structure of how Parliament is run during the Uhuru and Ruto regimes is no different. Here is the reason: when Aden Duale, the then Majority Leader, joined Ruto’s Tangatanga movement, it was Uhuru who removed him.
“This is to say, even during Uhuru’s era, it is the President who has the power to appoint parliamentary leadership. That unholy alliance between the Executive came with Uhuru,” Muriu said.
However, Muriu insisted that the former Head of State handled human rights issues differently compared to the current regime.
“But when it comes to human rights abuse, for me, I didn’t hear or see Uhuru ordering Kenyans to be shot.
“And of course, there were deadly protests. I have seen orders of people to be shot under the current regime of William Ruto.
“These people are being shot not because they are robbers but because they are telling Ruto: you lied to us. You told us you would put money into our pockets, told us you would develop SHA, you lied to us,” Muriu added.
Human rights debate
Muriu’s comments add to the growing criticism of how the current administration has handled demonstrations, particularly protests driven by youth demanding accountability and economic reforms.
He concluded that while both regimes exerted influence over Parliament, Kenyans must not overlook the fundamental difference in how dissent and public demonstrations were handled.
For Muriu, Uhuru’s restraint during protests sets him apart as a leader who chose calm over confrontation.