Uhuru hints at opposition alliance with Rigathi in war against Ruto

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday hinted at the possibility of a major opposition alliance with a faction led by ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The signals emerged when the two leaders met in a burial in Kirinyaga, their first since the 2022 inauguration when Gachagua, then newly sworn-in Deputy President, took a swipe at the outgoing head of state for running down the country.

However, during the Wednesday encounter during the burial of former Senator Daniel Karaba, the two appeared cordial and at ease, a stark contrast to their previously frosty relations.

Their body language suggested the three-year-old animosity may be easing, signaling possible political rapprochement.

Addressing mourners, Uhuru called for opposition unity to deliver the leadership the people want.

Uhuru urged the united opposition to unite and continue to hold on to what "he is hearing the ground say".

Gesturing and echoing what is now the DCP party symbol of holding the ear and listening to the ground slogan, Uhuru urged the people of the region to remain where they are.

“Whoever you elect, that’s your choice. I will still be there at Ichaweri. But if you make another mistake, that will be your mess,” Uhuru said.

“And you leaders, I beg of you to be leaders, not politicians. That’s what the people want. They want direction and leadership to see them to the other side.”

“I told you that politicians have sweet words like honey. My friend Karaba stood by me despite the wave, which was being led by Riggy G here.”

The former head of state appealed directly to Mt Kenya residents to critically evaluate the leaders and make informed decisions in future elections, warning against being swayed by rhetoric.

Gachagua talked of a scheme by state agents to divide the mountain and put a wedge between him and Uhuru, whom he said he has worked with for 20 years.

“Let our detractors know that nobody will divide this mountain and nobody will come between President Uhuru Kenyatta and us,” Gachagua said.

“The fact that we gave you (Ruto) votes does not mean you know us. I have worked with Uhuru for 20 years, and he (Ruto) came between us, and we became ‘enemies. for three years. You don’t know us.”

The burial was also attended by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Justin Muturi (DP), Martha Karua (PLP), Fred Matiang’i (Jubilee) and Siaya Governor James Orengo.

According to Uhuru, meeting the united opposition team was a coincidence, but he urged them to remain united.

“I came from Ichaweri to bury my friend Karaba. I won’t speak a lot because if I do, I will be told it’s me who brought all these people (opposition leaders) together here,” Uhuru said.

“I thought Kalonzo would be in Ukambani. I was watching him on TV. I thought my brother Wamunyoro wouldn’t be here. I thought I would be alone.”

Uhuru spoke even as the leaders aligned to the opposition declared their intention to close ranks and front a single presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election, in what they described as a decisive strategy to unseat President William Ruto.

In a rare meeting of the opposition and Uhuru, the leaders cautioned that no amount of political scheming will see them disintegrate.

Speaking at a joint political rally, the opposition figures said they had learned from past electoral missteps and would avoid a repeat of the divisions that characterised the 2022 race.

They maintained that unity will be their strongest weapon against the incumbent, vowing to rally behind one among them once a consensus is reached.

“In 2002, the opposition didn’t disintegrate, and they formed the government. Let us follow the 2002 pattern, let us remain united and refuse to be divided,” Eugene said.

“We must put our ambition behind us and prioritise Kenya; failure to which we will all sink. May the best person be the flag bearer of the united opposition,” added PLP boss Karua.

The leaders also turned their focus to the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, urging residents to heed the counsel of their local political leaders and avoid what they termed as a costly political mistake in the last election.

Orengo said the region refused to listen to Uhuru in 2022 and overwhelmingly voted for Ruto thus plunging the country into a governance mess.

According to Orengo, the region’s voting pattern in 2022 played a pivotal role in securing Ruto’s narrow win, and a shift in allegiance could prove decisive in the next contest.

“If you had listened to Uhuru, we would not have been in this mess. I think sometimes it is good to listen,” Orengo who also attended the burial in Kirinyaga said.