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Power struggle in Mt Kenya as Gachagua is accused of 'tyranny'
DP party Leader Justin Muturi briefs media on remarks made by UDA Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua (inset) that parties should fold and join his DCP. With him is PNU party leader Peter Munya and Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) party leader Lenny Kivuti.
Political tensions in the Mt Kenya region are rising, threatening to undermine the unity sought by various players in the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
At the centre of the discomfort are remarks that were made by the former deputy president and the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua during his recent visit to Meru County, where he called for the dissolution of other parties and for their leadership to join his DCP.
However, a section of the leaders from Mt Kenya East side now accuse him of trying to micromanage the region and imposing himself as the regional kingpin.
In a press address on Tuesday, Justin Muturi of the Democratic Party (DP), Peter Munya of the Party of National Unity (PNU), and the Devolution Empowerment Party leader Lenny Kivuti expressed their disappointment in Mr Gachagua’s comments, accusing him of belittling them.
Mr Munya unequivocally stated that every political party is an independent institution established under the Constitution and laws of Kenya, and that each party has its own members, delegates, elected officials and governance structures.
“Consequently, unilateral by one pronouncements by one political leader purporting to direct, dissolve, merge or determine the future of another political party are not only legally untenable but are also deeply offensive to the thousands of members, delegates and officials who have invested their trust, time and resources in building those parties,” Mr Munya read the joint statement.
The former CS added that Article 38 of the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the freedom to make political choices, including the right to form, join and participate in a political party of their choice.
“These political rights are both constitutional and statutory and cannot be diminished by the personal ambitions or preferences of any individual. Gachagua therefore has neither the legal nor the moral authority to prescribe the existence or future of other political parties.”
Despite their statement, the leaders maintained that they are firmly behind the opposition movement, aiming to beat President William Ruto in the elections. However, they stated that failing to address the issue risks exacerbating divisions in the region.
“Restraint should not be mistaken for acquiescence. We call upon Gachagua to desist from divisive pronouncements and instead embrace structured dialogue consultation and respectful engagement among all like-minded political parties. Durable political partnerships are built on equality, trust and respect for institutional autonomy. We cannot pretend to be growing our parties while simultaneously locking out others in order to own specific regions.”
"Not our spokesman"
Mr Gachagua has repeatedly stated that the DCP will be the strongest party in the Mt Kenya region, and that it will be used as a vehicle to negotiate with like-minded parties in the formation of a movement ahead of 2027 elections. He has asked other parties with roots in the region to consider disbanding and joining his party.
“We reject any impression that Gachagua has been appointed or mandated to speak on behalf of all the people, or political parties associated with Mt Kenya region. No such meeting has ever been convened nor has any consensus has been reached conferring such authorities upon him.”
“We are a pluralistic society. We don’t have kings in Mt Kenya. We respect you, the strength of your argument, the leadership and value that you provide. The values that you push are the ones that buy respect for you, and that’s how people bestow to you that position.”
Mr Munya stated that the Mt Kenya East region, which encompasses Meru, Embu as well as Tharaka Nithi counties should be treated with the utmost respect, just like any other region, and not be seen as inferior. His sentiments were echoed by Mr Muturi and Mr Kivuti.
“We are not fighting anybody. Everybody has the liberty to exist and to sell their own parties but in selling their parties, you must not go on calling or belittling other parties whom you found already… everybody should respect the rights of the other,” Mr Muturi said.
According to Mr Munya, despite raising the matter in his conversation with Mr Gachagua, the issue has not been addressed, raising questions over the intention of DCP party leader.
The narrative that Mr Gachagua is seeking to dominate the politics of Mt Kenya is expected to intensify the debate over the division between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West.
A fallout in Mt Kenya politics would benefit President Ruto, who has lost significant support in the region after the impeachment of Mr Gachagua.
In the recent by-election in Mbeere North, the United Opposition, which supported the DP candidate, lost to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Prior to that, the DCP candidate had been prevailed upon to step down in favour of the DP aspirant.
The sibling rivalry was also witnessed in the concluded by-election in Ol Kalou, where the Jubilee Party of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and PNU refused to withdraw their candidates from the poll but ultimately lost to DCP.
In a quick rejoinder, DCP secretary-general designate John Methu said all political parties in Mt Kenya region are competitors.
"None should expect DCP and Mr Rigathi Gachagua to market them the same way we do not expect any to market us," he said.
Mr Methu said Mr Gachagua has more than once said publicly that the only concurrence that all political parties under the united opposition should share is the search for a joint presidential candidate.
He said it was unfair to accuse DCP of not being friendly to other parties when it had sacrificed its popular candidate in the Mbeere North by-election.
"We even took over Mr Muturi and his DP campaigns. We should be appreciated for that," Mr Methu said.
He added that when Ol Kalou by election came, Jubilee Party got 198 votes and Mr Munya's PNU led got 28 votes.
"We can only sympathise but there is very little we can do about as DCP. Our hard work gave us an 85 percent win. We in DCP are holding on average eight forums daily to market our party and organising aspirants," he said.
He added: "Every party and their leadership should mobilise for support and take their numbers to coalitions of their choice. It is not necessarily DCP. They should feel free to be independent".
Mr Methu said DCP is not willing to be anyone's worker in the united Opposition.
"If you believe you have the Mountain, take it where you want and leave DCP out of your frustrations. Mr Muturi was launched in 2022 in Mt Kenya shrines as a regional spokesman. It was good for Mt Kenya to have a spokesman in 2022 but it is wrong for the same region to have Gachagua as spokesman...such double standards," he said.
Mt Methu said DCP remains angled and focused for greater and broader issues aimed at liberating the country.
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