TENSIONS simmered on the political stage on Friday as DCP boss Rigathi Gachagua and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i took thinly veiled jabs at each other.
The duo has been engaged in an open tussle within the united opposition, with the former CS being marginalised from some activities.
On Friday, the two shared a podium - the first since Matiang'i publicly joined Jubilee - during Wiper Patriotic Front’s National Delegates Congress in Nairobi.
Tension between the two was visible despite assurances that the team is intact.
Matiang’i left the venue shortly after addressing and before Gachagua took the podium, avoiding a direct confrontation but leaving a trail of political undertones.
In his speech, Matiang’ publicly admitted to the internal wars but assured supporters that they will try everything possible to ensure they remain intact.
“I would like to urge us, because this issue is normally spoken about, I want to speak about it more bluntly and more frankly,” Matiang’i said.
“My brothers and sisters and countrymen, building an opposition or a coalition is a journey of alignments and coming together we will be together in spite of our differences, not that we don’t have differences.
“We will work on this together; it is a long journey that we are determined to walk together. The goal we have is greater than the sum total of each one of us here. Occasionally, if we argue sometimes or we have difference of opinion that is precisely because we are a group of people who are passionate and love their country.”
Gachagua, in apparent reference to Matiang’i, said nobody will become President by staying at home.
He maintained that all aspirants must leave their comfort zone and go out to woo voters.
“The presidency cannot be achieved when you are at home; you must go around and look for votes,” Gachagua fired.
“I want to tell Kenyans, it is a two-horse race - Ruto and this united opposition -the rest are donkeys. If you will not be in this coalition, forget it,”
Political analysts warn that if the unity holds, the 2027 race could be a tightly contested showdown.
The leaders, however, vowed to back whoever will be fronted by the opposition team to face Ruto.
“Kalonzo is a critical factor of what will happen in 2027. I have been around for long. I have never been on the losing side. The side where Kalonzo will belong will win the coming elections,” Gachagua said.
The Wiper function was attended by DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, PLP leader Martha Karua, Matiang'i, and former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.
Wamalwa said the opposition coalition will remain intact contrary to speculation.
“Those who are hoping that we will split are in for a rude shock; we shall hold together until we redeem the country,” Wamalwa said.
In a decisive move, Wiper delegates officially handed party leader Kalonzo the green light to vie for the presidency in 2027.
The endorsement now signals the former Vice President is ready to go full throttle in his quest to succeed William Ruto as the sixth President.
He will however have to convince his peers in the united opposition to back his bid.
Wiper secretary general Shakila Abdalla while moving the motion described the ex-VP as a mature and unifying figure who deserves a chance to lead the country.
“We make the esteemed choice of nominating our presidential candidate Kalonzo Musyoka for 2027, he is a unifying figure,” Shakila said amid cheers from the delegates.
“In the changes, our party leader shall be deemed nominated as presidential candidate at anytime there is vacancy in the position of the President, unless the party leader expresses otherwise in writing.”
Speaking after the endorsement, Kalonzo expressed gratitude for the vote of confidence and vowed to lead the party to victory in 2027.
"I accept your nomination to be your presidential candidate for the elections scheduled for 2027," Kalonzo declared amid cheers from the delegates.
“Let me take a moment to thank the Almighty God who has been my guide, to my family and extended family in Kirinyaga.”
Kalonzo also thanked his “darling wife, Pauline, who is watching, the mother of our children.”
“You are a vision bearer, you have been amazing, and every day, every moment, you keep on amazing me. May the good Lord grant you the healing we all have been waiting for.”
In addition to endorsing Kalonzo’s bid, delegates approved key amendments to the party’s constitution, including the introduction of new internal election rules aimed at enhancing transparency and inclusivity.
The reforms are expected to streamline the nomination process ahead of the 2027 polls.
Among the changes to the party’s election rules include giving all disgruntled aspirants 24 hours to appeal an outcome of nomination or grassroots elections outcome.
Initially, the Wiper party was silent on the time for filing such complaints.
The delegates also gave the party’s appeal mechanism five days to address any appeal from the initial 10 days.
The delegates also granted the party leader expanded powers to fill vacant positions within the party hierarchy without necessarily convening a national meeting.
The move is seen as a strategic step to ensure continuity and organisational stability.
Also in the amendments is the provision to allow the party to use consensus, acclamation and direct tickets during nominations.
The current Wiper constitution restricts the party to use only secret ballot to identify its candidates in seats that attract more than one candidate.
Early Friday morning excitement and anticipation filled the air as delegates converged at Uhuru Park in Nairobi for the much-anticipated NDC.
Delegates, dressed smartly in the party’s signature blue colours, began streaming into the venue from all corners of the country as early as 7 am, heeding the official notice that directed members to be seated by 10 am.
The park was a sea of blue — with flags, banners, and posters bearing the party’s logo and slogan prominently displayed across the grounds.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
With these resolutions, Wiper now enters a new chapter, rallying behind Kalonzo as its undisputed flag bearer while arming him with stronger tools to steer the party through a critical political season.
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