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Opposition needs youthful energy and elderly wisdom, Gachagua tells Malala on Kituyi appointment
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and interim Deputy Party leader Cleophas Malala after unveiling their new political outfit, the Democracy for the Citizens Party in Lavington, Nairobi on May 15, 2025.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has rebuked his deputy, Cleophas Malala, for criticising the appointment of Mukhisa Kituyi as the United Opposition spokesman.
The United Opposition brings together Mr Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and his Wiper Democratic Movement, Martha Karua of the People’s Liberation Party, Justin Muturi of the Democratic Party, and former Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i, who is yet to declare his party.
Also in the fold are Kajiado Senator Kenar Seki and Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo, both of the DCP. In Western Kenya, the alliance has former Defense CS Eugene Wamalwa and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), alongside Mr Malala.
Mr Malala had argued that Mr Kituyi, 68, lacked the youthful vision needed for the role and suggested the position be given to a younger loyalist.
Wisdom and experience
However, while speaking in Nyandarua County on Sunday, Mr Gachagua dismissed his deputy’s concerns. He said the United Opposition secretariat must blend generational strengths to harness both agility and experience.
“Mr Malala should relax over the issue. He wants all party slots taken up by Gen Z and millennials. But we also need experienced hands to provide counsel. Malala is a nice man, but we must create room for wisdom and experience,” said Gachagua.
Former United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi.
He urged Malala to “accommodate elder counsel that complements youthful drive,” adding that he himself is mentoring young politicians for the future.
“It should be the same in the secretariat. Malala has packed it with Gen Z and millennials. They are driving our formation, but there must also be senior leaders to guide them,” he said.
Shortly after the rebuke, Mr Malala softened his stance, declaring that he no longer opposed Mr Kituyi’s appointment.
“I was earlier of the opinion that Mr Kituyi was not a good choice for the position, preferring that youths be awarded it. Since the youths are the future for which we are pursuing this liberation, I thought it right. But after I spoke my mind, I was summoned by Mr Gachagua, who gave me sound reasons why it had to be Mr Kituyi,” he explained.
Mr Malala said Gachagua reminded him that “even the elderly need to be represented in leadership.”
“After sitting through the briefing session, I agreed that Mr Kituyi was a good choice. I respect Mr Gachagua since he is a man of great wisdom with inborn foresight that has seen him rise from a junior administrator to Deputy President,” Malala added.
He concluded: “We are now good to go, and there is no issue about the appointment. Mine was just a personal opinion, which after debate turned out to be a minority view.”
The United Opposition, which seeks to make President William Ruto a one-term leader, is under pressure with less than two years to the general election. The alliance faces a daunting roadmap involving consensus-building on critical issues such as naming a joint presidential candidate, managing relations among fringe parties, nominations, campaign financing, and countering the ruling administration’s strategies.
Among the United Opposition’s other challenges are mobilising Gen Z to register and turn out to vote, as well as contending with emerging political outfits such as Kenya Moja, a coalition of breakaway factions from the government and opposition.
Tactical move
According to political analysts, Kituyi’s appointment is widely seen as a tactical move to steady the coalition.
“Mr Kituyi may help the opposition manage Gachagua’s sometimes unilateral and fiery remarks, while also countering perceptions of Musyoka’s uninspiring speeches. He could also make Matiang’i more relatable, distancing him from being seen as former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s protégé," political scientist John Okumu observed.
Mr Okumu further noted: “Ironically, Mr Kituyi can help Malala learn to moderate his language, assist Natembeya in positioning himself, and reconcile him with Wamalwa. He may also help clarify Gachagua’s repeated claims that the Maasai and Mijikenda are principals in the United Opposition.”
Gachagua said that Kituyi will play a critical role in structured messaging, engaging the media, keeping followers informed, and giving the coalition a face of seriousness.
