Gachagua, Kalonzo, Matiang’i move to seal cracks in opposition

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) counterpart have revealed behind-the-scene efforts to avert a potential political fallout within the opposition.

The two leaders disclosed holding a meeting with Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i following a week of public spat by the opposition principals.

Both Mr Musyoka and Dr Matiang’i on Sunday morning released photos of the said meeting. But there were conflicting accounts on when the said photos were taken.

While addressing a joint rally dubbed the Ukombozi Rally in Kitengela town, Kajiado County, on Sunday afternoon, Mr Musyoka said the opposition had no option but to unite to remove President Ruto from power in the 2027 polls. 

He described the said meeting with Dr Matiang’i as a move to strengthen opposition unity ahead of the elections. 

"Rigathi Gachagua’s move for a meeting with our brother Fred Matiang’i this morning is a sign we are committed for a United Opposition. We have no option but to unite to send Ruto home in a constitutional way," said Mr Musyoka. 

However, some of the allies of the three leaders said that they were only aware of a meeting which was held last week Monday November 2.

“I am not aware of any meeting on Sunday. The only meeting I am aware of took place on Monday,” said a top official within the opposition, who did not want to be on record, but also said it is possible Sunday’s meeting was held without informing other senior politicians.

The latest war of words between Mr Gachagua, Dr Matiang’i and Democratic Movement (DP) leader Justin Muturi started last Sunday November 1 and peaked on Tuesday when the former Deputy President described the duo as ‘lazy politicians’ who were waiting for him to hunt for votes before handing them the presidency.

Mr Gachagua also told them to stop “looking for votes in hotel conferences and TV shows”, while reminding them how they failed to deliver in the recent by-elections.

At the joint Kitengela rally with Mr Gachagua, Mr Musyoka castigated President Ruto’s administration over what he termed unfulfilled promises and its role in destabilising the black tea market, particularly in Sudan, resulting in an estimated annual loss of $700 million dollars for Kenyan farmers. 

Mr Musyoka said he had initiated negotiations with the Sudanese government to have the ban lifted. 

"We (Opposition) have begun correcting the Kenya Kwanza administration mess. I’m engaging the Sudan government through their ambassador; pushing for the lifting of black tea ban," added the former vice president. 

He further assured supporters of different political parties within the opposition that they would be treated equally as partners. 

"We are one team. We will treat each other with utmost respect, aiming at the big prize -Presidency," he added. 

Mr Gachagua said there was no division within the opposition, insisting that all principals were committed to the common cause of dislodging President Ruto from power in the forthcoming General Election. 

He said he had met Mr Musyoka Dr Matiang’i for breakfast on Sunday morning and had also spoken to People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua on the phone over opposition unity. Linda Mwananchi Movement leader Edwin Sifuna is also committed to the cause, he said. He accused President Ruto of fueling divisions within the opposition for political gain. 

"I met with Fred Matiangi this morning and he is committed. I’m aware President Ruto and his allies are planning in their tour in Kisii today (Sunday) to fuel a division between myself and Matiang’i for their selfish political moves but they will not succeed," said Mr Gachagua. 

The former Deputy President, who had earlier attended a church service and fundraising event at Full Gospel Church in Isinya, said the perceived divisions within the opposition were being fuelled by social media influencers and overzealous supporters of different political parties. 

"What you see in opposition is sibling rivalry in a polygamous family that will not disintegrate us. The tension is being fueled by different parties’ overzealous supporters and social media influencers. Principals must be careful rest will lose the cause," he added. 

He further said DCP party primaries would be free and fair, dismissing rumors that the party had preferred aspirants who could trigger divisions.

"DCP party is growing by leaps and bounds becoming the most popular party. We have no prefered candidates. We (DCP) have hundreds of aspirants and party primaries will be highly contested," added Mr Gachagua. 

He also accused the Registrar of Persons and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of selectively issuing identity cards and voter registration services in regions perceived to support the opposition, although he did not provide evidence. 

"Registrar of persons must stop selective issue Ave of IDs. We are aware in regions politically perceived as President Ruto strongholds, IDs are being issued within two days while in antigovernment regions ID takes months," said Mr Gachagua.

 "IEBC must also register Kenyans as voters non-discriminatorily. In case they want to have a mass voters’ registration, let it be open across the country but not in cherry picked areas." 

The leaders were accompanied by elected politicians and aspirants aligning themselves with the two political parties. 

Kajiado Senator Samuel Seki said the opposition political alliance would ensure its presidential candidate surpassed the constitutional 50 per cent plus one threshold required to win the presidency. 

"Liberating Kenya" 

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said the United Opposition was a unity of purpose aimed at liberating Kenyans from what he termed the Kenya Kwanza administration's dictatorship and extrajudicial killings. 

Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo said DCP would negotiate with other opposition principals as a national political party and not as a community-based outfit fronting Mr Gachagua as its presidential candidate. 

"Let it be known that DCP party will not negotiate within the United opposition as a community but a National party with huge following across the country as a front-runner for opposition presidential flag bearer," said MP Ngogoyo. 

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