You were conned, Gachagua-Kalonzo team tells Western residents

The opposition on Thursday stormed Western Kenya with a blunt message for voters: you were conned.

In fiery rallies across Vihiga and Kakamega counties, opposition leaders accused President William Ruto of using the region to rise to power, only to abandon it once in office.

Led by DCP Party boss Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, the opposition accused the President of political deception and false pledges.

At the centre of focus was the much-publicised promise of a 30 per cent share in government and the tarmacking of 1,000km of roads.

“You have been misused for too long,” said Gachagua, addressing a charged crowd.

During the 2022 campaigns, President Ruto entered into a formal agreement with Wetang’ula and Mudavadi, pledging significant development in exchange for the region’s support.

But opposition leaders now say those promises remain unfulfilled.

The political whirlwind tour, which cut across Luanda, Mbale, Malava, Kakamega, and Mumias, featured a cast of seasoned and emerging leaders.

These include former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, former Trade minister Mukhisa Kituyi, and DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala.

Noticeably absent was People’s Liberation Party boss Martha Karua, who was appearing in court in connection with ongoing abduction cases.

Gachagua urged the Luhya community to rally behind a new generation of leaders from the region—Wamalwa, Natembeya, Kituyi and Malala—and to reject political "brokers" whom he accused of trading away the region’s votes.

“Give these leaders the power to negotiate on your behalf,” Gachagua implored. “Don’t go through brokers who end up selling your votes.”

Kalonzo echoed the betrayal narrative and reiterated the opposition’s push to limit Ruto to a single term, citing a worsening cost of living and growing national discontent.

“This government has made the lives of Kenyans miserable,” Kalonzo said. “That is why we insist it deserves only one term.”

The rallies marked the opposition's strategic return to a region seen as a potential battleground in the 2027 elections—one that could tilt the scales depending on which coalition successfully taps into local’s frustrations over unmet expectations.

As the opposition continues to paint Ruto’s administration as one built on broken promises, the battle for Western Kenya is shaping up to be both symbolic and fiercely contested.

Matiang’i who was joining the opposition for a first joint rally, said their coming together is meant to save the country which he noted is on a wrong trajectory.

The former powerful minister maintained the opposition will not disintegrate but will hold together until their mission is achieved.

He also urged the youths to register as voters and use their vote to effect the changes in the coming elections.

“We need to fix education, farming and the entire governance of this country, that is why we must join hands to save our country. We will work together to ensure we save the country,” Matiang’i said.

“As leaders from the region, we shall unite with a sole reason to make Ruto a one-term president,” added Malala.

Natembeya said the region will play a significant in dislodging Ruto from power in 2027.

The firebrand county boss insisted the region will never again allow an ‘outsider’ to dictate the direction of the region’s politics.

“We are the second populous community in Kenya and it should go without saying that we are second in everything,” Natembeya said.

Wamalwa described the new opposition alliance as the solution to the country’s myriad problems including restoring the dignity of the payslips.

The opposition brigade are in Western for two-days as they plot complete takeover of  President Ruto and Raila’s strongholds as they expand their bases ahead of 2027 polls.

Raila’s recent move to sign a cooperation agreement with Ruto has triggered a political shake-up, with the opposition now eyeing a significant share of the coastal vote.

Gachagua and Kalonzo are banking on solid support from Western Kenya to strengthen their coalition and mount a serious challenge to make Ruto a one-term president.

On Friday, the opposition brigade will be in Busia and Bungoma counties to popularise their new unity and charm the region that has been traditionally voting anti-government candidates.

The team will take a break on Saturday from the campaign trail and join Gachagua in Nyeri county for the burial of his aunt Gladys Kahua who passed on last week.

This is the second time the united opposition is staging a joint charm offensive following last month’s one in Ukambani and Coast regions.

During the Coast and Ukambani tours, the opposition leaders sustained their push to unseat Ruto in the next poll.

The leaders pledged to unite behind a single presidential candidate in 2027 to take on President Ruto, promising a well-organised campaign with trained agents at every polling station to counter alleged election rigging.

INSTANT A NALYSIS

Opposition has united with the sole aim of unseating President William Ruto in the coming 2027 elections and rendering him one-term President. The united opposition has of late embarked on the countrywide tours to popularise their new unity and endear themselves to Kenyans. The group is however faced with the main task of keeping intact and approaching the next elections as a team without disintegration that normally comes with the deciding on the flag bearer.