PNU leader Peter Munya (centre), Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi (left) and Devolution Empowerment Party leader Lenny Kivuti address the media during a joint press briefing on August 4, 2026. /COURTESYParty of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi and Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) leader Lenny Kivuti on Tuesday said they had rejected calls by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for their parties to dissolve and join the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
Speaking during a joint media briefing, Munya said parties allied to the opposition remain committed to working together but would not surrender their identities in the name of unity.
He cautioned against political rhetoric that he said risks creating unnecessary divisions within the opposition and urged leaders to embrace dialogue and mutual respect.
"We call upon Honourable Gachagua to embrace structured dialogue, consultation and respectful engagement among all like-minded political parties," Munya said.
He said enduring political partnerships are founded on equality, trust and respect for each party's institutional independence rather than demands that some parties cease to exist.
"Durable political partnerships are built on equality, trust and respect for institutional autonomy," he said.
Munya argued that it would be contradictory for parties to invest in building their own political structures while at the same time being encouraged to dissolve and merge into another outfit.
"It is worth noting that we cannot pretend to be growing our parties while simultaneously locking out others to own specific regions," he said.
Although he stressed that the leaders have no dispute with DCP, Munya said Kenyans should be free to associate with political parties of their choice without intimidation or pressure.
"While we have no differences with our partners in DCP, it is necessary to make our communities feel comfortable, secure and free to make political choices," he said.
He added that democracy thrives when citizens are free to support different political parties without being branded disloyal.
"We must stop threatening those of diverse backgrounds and beliefs about our political standing to grow our democracy. It cannot be that one is praised for joining DCP but criticised for joining another party," Munya said.
The remarks followed repeated public calls by Gachagua urging political leaders, particularly from the Mt Kenya region, to fold their parties into DCP as part of efforts to consolidate the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In recent weeks, Gachagua has described DCP as the dominant political vehicle in the region and argued that political leaders should rally behind a single party rather than maintain multiple parties competing for the same support base.
Following DCP's victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, Gachagua said the party had become the preferred political platform in the Mt Kenya region and announced plans to field candidates in all 47 counties.
He said DCP intends to sponsor candidates for governor, senator, Member of Parliament and Member of County Assembly seats nationwide, while targeting at least 20 governors, 20 senators, 145 Members of Parliament and 720 MCAs.
Gachagua has also urged aspiring leaders to join DCP, saying the party would guarantee transparent nominations and citing the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election as evidence of what he described as the party's growing national appeal.
