The growing political tension within the opposition escalated yesterday, bringing to sharp focus the role of Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua in complicating efforts to build a united front.
Mr Gachagua is emerging as a polarising figure: the opposition’s greatest asset in vote mobilisation and at the same time, a figure that could scuttle the formation’s broader agenda of fielding a single candidate to face President William Ruto.
Mr Gachagua on Tuesday lashed out at Jubilee Party Leader Fred Matiang’i and his Democratic Party counterpart Justin Muturi , describing them as “lazy politicians” who were waiting for him to hunt for votes before handing them the presidency.
Dr Matiang’i and Mr Muturi had on Monday separately described Mr Gachagua as a bully, whose politics is centred on ethnicity. Mr Gachagua’s apparent entitlement, they said, risks splitting the opposition and handing the Kenya Kwanza administration another term in office.
Jubilee Presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiang'i in Borabu, Nyamira County on April 24, 2026.
Photo credit: Ruth Mbula | Nation Media Group
Mr Gachagua has, so far, clashed with nearly all the opposition principals. He has rejected Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s suggestion for an early resolution of the presidential ticket. Mr Musyoka wanted the presidential ticket settled by December, but Mr Gachagua disagreed, insisting the naming should be done next year.
The former Deputy President has also clashed with People’s Party of Kenya leader Ndindi Nyoro, with his allies labelling the Kiharu MP and other opposition leaders moles and State agents planted to divide the opposition.
Mr Gachagua made the remarks on Friday last week when he attended the launch of Mr Sifuna’s party secretariat.
Dr Matiang’i accused Mr Gachagua of disrespect, saying his attitude was likely to wreck the opposition’s efforts to name a single candidate to face President Ruto in the 2027 election.
Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi | Nation Media Group
Analysts believe that for the opposition to beat President Ruto, it needs the numbers Mr Gachagua claims to command, but also the influence of leaders from other regions as well as a national campaign message to rally its support bases.
“You will not lecture me on how to mobilise for votes. I am working hard just like I did when we won the presidency for President Ruto. You cannot win the presidency in hotels and writing letters; get out and work hard,” he said. “Defeating Ruto is not a walk in the park. It’s not easy. I know some people are uncomfortable when I talk about numbers. But we must have this conversation because politics is a game of numbers. Even Ruto is looking for numbers; he is not sleeping. I am working with like-minded politicians who are keen on numbers.”
Mr Gachagua reminded Mr Muturi that while DCP won the Ol-Kalou by-election by a huge margin, he failed to deliver the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election.
“Wamunyoro is not locked against anyone apart from William Ruto. The first sign that you value what Mt Kenya can offer in an election is visiting Wamunyoro, accept to be recorded and published to the outside world,” he added.
This comes amid Mr Musyoka being enticed by the government to boost its re-election bid, although he has vowed he will not be swayed.
He said the opposition is working towards a 2002-style alignment and promised to identify one presidential candidate who will win by a landslide.
Crowd heckles Kalonzo during Linda Mwananchi Movement party launch
“With State House, his value reduces if he cannot deliver all the three million votes associated nationally with Akamba. With Wamunyoro, he is no longer the only door to Ukambani,” Mr Gitau said.
