Leaders allied to the United Opposition have criticised President William Ruto over what they described as repeated insults directed at critics and a lack of concern for challenges facing learners, particularly amid the rollout of the Grade 10 transition.

The opposition leaders spoke on Sunday during a church service at the Catholic Diocese of Nyahururu, Njabini Parish, in Kinangop, Nyandarua County, where they accused the President of issuing directives that do not reflect realities on the ground.

They took issue with Ruto’s call for learners to report to Grade 10 without school fees, uniforms or adequate facilities, saying the directive had left many families confused and distressed.

Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi said a significant number of learners were still at home after schools turned them away due to congestion and lack of resources.

“We want the President to know that we are not satisfied. Stop misleading Kenyans,” Muturi said. “You tell children to go to school without fees or uniforms, yet schools do not even have places for them to sleep or food to give them.”

Muturi argued that the transition to Grade 10 had been poorly planned, accusing the government of downplaying the challenges facing schools and parents.

He dismissed claims by education officials that the transition had been fully achieved, saying the situation on the ground told a different story.

“They are misleading Kenyans. Even the Principal Secretary is saying the transition is 100 per cent, which is not true,” Muturi said, adding that the education sector was facing a serious setback.

He urged parents’ associations to prepare for possible protests to compel authorities to address the crisis, warning that hard-won gains in education were being reversed.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i described the situation as part of a broader leadership failure, saying public frustration was growing across the country.

“This is not about hatred or personal grudges,” Matiang’i said. “The real issue in Kenya today is a leadership crisis. The leaders in charge have become the problem, and that is why citizens are crying out.”

Matiang’i rejected claims that the opposition lacks a clear agenda, insisting that restoring accountability and integrity in governance was a priority.

“They keep saying the opposition has no plan. We do have a plan. The first step is to remove leaders who have failed,” he said, drawing applause from congregants.

He further accused the government of allowing corruption to thrive and rolling back progress made in key sectors such as education and healthcare, including the collapse of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua said opposition figures were open to working together ahead of the 2027 General Election but warned against entering alliances without clear structures.

“We have our own political vehicle, and we can work with anyone we agree with,” Gachagua said. “But we must be organised. The mistake we made before was approaching Ruto without a party of our own.”

The leaders also criticised the government’s labour migration programme, alleging that young Kenyans had been misled about job opportunities abroad.

“Ruto lied to the youth. He deceived thousands and took them to Russia,” Gachagua claimed, demanding that those affected be brought back home.

They vowed to challenge the President at the ballot, insisting that Kenyans would have the final say in 2027.

“He calls us foolish,” Gachagua said. “We will respond on August 10, 2027, when the votes are counted.”