DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Patriotic Front Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Hon. Eugene Wamalwa met for consultations on the way forward for our country. /DENISH OCHIENG
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is facing a major rebellion within the opposition.
This is after senior allies rejected his call for smaller political parties to dissolve and join the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
In a joint statement, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, PNU's Peter Munya and Umoja na Maendeleo Party leader Lenny Kivuti accused Gachagua of overstepping his mandate.
They argued the DCP leader had overstretched the limits by “attempting to determine the future of independent political parties”.
Gachagua during a church service in Meru urged the Democratic Party, PNU, Umoja na Maendeleo Party and Bus Party to dissolve and join DCP.
But the trio flatly rejected the proposal, insisting that each political party is an independent institution protected by the constitution.
They held the outfits cannot be dissolved through pronouncements by another party leader.
"Such decisions can only be made by the lawful organs of each respective party in accordance with its constitution and the Political Parties Act," the statement says.
They reminded Gachagua that Article 38 of the constitution guarantees every Kenyan the freedom to form, join and participate in a political party of their choice.
The leaders said while they remained committed to working together to remove President William Ruto from power, opposition unity cannot be built through intimidation or demands that other parties surrender their identities.
"Such unity must be anchored on mutual respect, consultation and voluntary cooperation—not coercion, political ultimatums or demands for surrender," they said.
In what appears to be a direct challenge to Gachagua's growing influence in the Mt Kenya region, the leaders also rejected any suggestion he speaks on behalf of the region or its political parties.
"We also reject any impression that Gachagua has been appointed or mandated to speak on behalf of all the people or political parties of the Mt Kenya region," they said.
The rare public rebuttal exposes the growing unease within the opposition coalition ranks.
The team faces a unity test, which stands worsened by the ongoing negotiations to cater interests of individual political parties.
The statement notes that no meeting has ever been convened to give Gachagua such authority.
The trio pointed out that former Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta never forced other parties to dissolve or declared themselves the sole political leaders of the region.
The leaders further accused Gachagua of applying double standards by calling for other parties to fold while at the same time welcoming elected UDA leaders and senior government officials into his political fold.
"If he genuinely believes in political realignment based on principle and the sovereign will of the people, then he should encourage those elected on UDA tickets to resign and seek fresh mandates through by-elections," they said.
Although the three leaders said they had exercised restraint to preserve opposition unity, they warned their silence should not be mistaken for acceptance of repeated attacks against their parties.
They urged Gachagua to stop what they termed divisive pronouncements and instead embrace structured dialogue and consultation among like-minded parties.
The leaders also cautioned against attempts to monopolise political support in Mt Kenya, saying democracy thrives when parties compete freely and voters are allowed to make independent political choices.
"We cannot pretend to be growing our parties while simultaneously locking out others in order to own specific regions," they said.
"It can't be one is okay joining DCP but bad if they join our parties."
The statement came amid the heightened push by a section of leaders from the trio’s backyard of Mt Kenya East to reconsider their political association with counterparts in Mt Kenya West.
The statement marks the clearest sign yet of internal resistance to Gachagua's efforts to position DCP as the dominant vehicle for the opposition.
It highlights the delicate balancing act facing coalition leaders as they seek to unite against Ruto without alienating established political parties.
