Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) shares a light moment with the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the burial of Daniel Karaba in Kirinyaga on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
The Ol Kalou by-election slated for July 16 has exposed the love-hate relationship between former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party and Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), with the two now openly at war.
Like a marriage in which neither partner is fond of the other, the situation between the two parties appears increasingly strained, with Jubilee Deputy Secretary-General Zack Kinuthia warning that a fallout is inevitable.
Mr Kinuthia said the bone of contention stems from a gentleman’s agreement within the United Alternative Government coalition that zoning should apply in by-elections.
“We have an agreement that in all by-elections where the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is defending the seat, we shall front a DCP candidate as our joint candidate,” he said.
The United Alternative Government comprises Jubilee, DCP, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Patriotic Front, People’s Liberation Party led by Martha Karua, DAP-Kenya led by Eugene Wamalwa and George Natembeya, as well as Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party.
Mr Kinuthia added that the agreement also provides that if a constituent party in the coalition loses a sitting MP, it should be given exclusive rights to field a candidate.
“We expected Jubilee Party to benefit from that agreement in Ol Kalou, where the late MP Njuguna Kiaraho was our member. We are surprised by the way Mr Gachagua has breached the agreement by insisting on fielding his candidate on a DCP ticket,” he said.
A fierce public rivalry has erupted between the Jubilee Party, led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and the DCP, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the upcoming Ol Kalou mini-poll.
But a defiant Mr Gachagua has publicly maintained that political parties within the loose opposition alliance must continue strengthening themselves.
“Let us all meet in Ol Kalou. All parties that believe they are popular should field candidates. Let us face the people and get definite truths about ourselves. These competitions are good so that we can know for sure where voters are,” he said.
Mr Gachagua accused unnamed political actors of engaging in “vulture politics” by capitalising on the mobilisation and financial organisation efforts of others.
He said he would not repeat what he termed a mistake he made during the November 2025 Mbeere North by-election, when he withdrew a DCP candidate in support of the Democratic Party.
“My supporters were angry with me. They told me never to repeat such a mistake. Let us now all meet in Ol Kalou. It is the growth of democratic space that gives voters freedom of choice,” he said.
UDA has nominated Muchina Nyagah, DCP is fronting Kamau Ngotho, while Jubilee has nominated Wilson Kigwa to battle it out with People’s Liberation Party candidate Martin Wambugu.
Sammy Ngotho displays his certificate after being crowned the winner of the Ol Kalou DCP nomination held on May 9, 2026. He garnered 12,957 votes against his closest contender, Paul Waiganjo, who managed to get 4,978 votes.
Other candidates are also expected to join the race through various political parties or as independent aspirants.
Speaking on Inooro TV on May 11, 2026, Mr Kinuthia further said: “I want to remind our people that Mr Kenyatta has been warning us against sweet-talking politicians like Mr Gachagua and instead urged us to listen to leaders of substance.”
The war drums being beaten by foot soldiers allied to Mr Kenyatta and Mr Gachagua paint a different picture from their recent public displays of brotherhood. Behind the scenes, their lieutenants appear keen to politically undermine each other.
Media spaces continue to be flooded with negative messaging from both camps, with one side accusing the other of political bullying while the other is portrayed as a predatory “big man’s project.”
The situation is further complicated by Mr Kenyatta endorsing his former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as his preferred presidential candidate for 2027, while Mr Gachagua has positioned himself for the same ticket.
Although both Mr Gachagua and Dr Matiang’i have publicly pledged commitment to opposition unity, their respective camps continue to elbow each other politically.
According to political analyst Mixson Gitau, the greatest point of departure between Jubilee and DCP is Dr Matiang’i’s political activities in Mt Kenya, where he appears to be eating into “Mr Gachagua’s Murima” by signing a pact with former Meru Governor Peter Munya and his Party of National Unity.
Mr Kinuthia told the Nation: “It is a matter of time. More parties will sign pacts with us.”
Mr Gitau said: “The way these two parties badmouth each other on various publicity platforms is now being seen as something that must be addressed once and for all, including the option of parting ways so that they cease being baggage on each other’s shoulders.”
Mr Gitau also observed that Mr Gachagua’s recent claims that some members of the United Alternative Government are state-backed moles appeared directed at the emerging tensions.
“Jubilee has those who support the incumbent government, those who support Mr Gachagua, and those who support Mr Kenyatta and Dr Matiang’i. What is not known is where the party converges in defining its collective 2027 goal. It is not even clear which wing is contesting in Ol Kalou,” he said.
Even when Mr Gachagua defends Mr Kenyatta against attacks from leaders allied to the broad-based government, he is careful to describe the former president as “a retired statesman who represents the past in the Mountain,” while portraying himself as “the present and the future.”
According to DCP Chair of the Council of Eminent Persons Maina Kamanda, Jubilee should respect the mobilisation strategy that has given the United Alternative Government momentum.
“We are a union of regions where different political parties led by regional leaders are mobilising their ‘bedrooms’ before eventually coming to the negotiation table to decide on the collective flag bearer against President William Ruto,” he said.
He added that Mt Kenya is Mr Gachagua’s political turf and that Dr Matiang’i should focus on mobilising support in his own backyard.
“We had a similar situation in 2002 when Simeon Nyachae adopted Ford People from Kimani wa Nyoike, popularised it in the Kisii region, and used it to anchor his presidential ambitions,” he said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i addresses delegates at a Christian and Scientific Association of Kenya conference sponsored by Mt Kenya University at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi on September 8, 2016. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
But why does Dr Matiang’i appear more interested in Mt Kenya politics than in other regions?
Political analyst Festus Wangwe believes it is linked to Mr Gachagua’s impeachment as Deputy President in 2024 after serving for two years.
“Mr Gachagua is in a similar situation to Mr Kenyatta in 2013, when he was facing crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Some Mt Kenya politicians believed Mr Kenyatta would be barred from contesting the presidency and positioned themselves to fill the vacuum,” he said.
Mr Wangwe said some leaders in Mt Kenya believe Mr Gachagua could still be barred from holding public office for 10 years under constitutional provisions relating to impeached officials, hence the rush to inherit his political base.
He added: “The most prayed-for outcome by Jubilee honchos is that Mr Gachagua is found to have been properly impeached before 2027 so that he stays out of the race.”
Mr Wangwe said it remains unclear who truly commands Mt Kenya politics between Mr Kenyatta and Mr Gachagua, and whether the two can genuinely work together.
“Some argue that Mr Kenyatta warned Mt Kenya against voting for Dr Ruto, and the region is now sulking in opposition because Mr Gachagua led the defiance against that caution. Therefore, he should cede the 2027 command to the former president,” he said.
Mr Wangwe also believes Mr Kenyatta or his inner circle could be behind the quiet positioning of Dr Matiang’i in Mt Kenya politics, banking on the perception that the region would trust the former president’s judgment, especially if Mr Gachagua is barred from public office.
But Mr Gachagua has repeatedly insisted that he does not need a public office or title to remain politically influential.
“I am the functional type of leader Raila Odinga used to be — without office but still influential,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
