Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has refuted allegations that he asked smaller opposition parties in the Mt Kenya region to disband and join the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). Speaking at his Wamunyoro residence on August 5, 2026, after meeting a Murang’a County delegation, Gachagua emphasized his commitment to multiparty democracy.
He responded directly to Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi and Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, who had claimed he encouraged the dissolution of their parties. Gachagua described these assertions as misguided and reiterated his support for a diverse opposition landscape.
Multiparty Strategy for 2027 Polls
According to Gachagua, the presence of multiple parties within the United Opposition coalition is strategic, especially for deploying election agents across polling stations to safeguard votes. He cited the Ol Kalou by-election as an example, where having agents from eight different parties helped counter the ruling party’s influence.
"I have never encouraged anybody to fold their political party," he stated, urging Muturi, Munya, and other leaders to concentrate on strengthening their parties. He argued that a coalition of robust parties would enhance the opposition’s competitiveness ahead of the 2027 general election.
Critique of PNU and Praise for DCP
Gachagua criticized PNU’s poor performance in the recent Ol Kalou by-election, where it secured only 28 votes, attributing this to ineffective voter engagement. Conversely, he lauded the DCP’s rapid growth, crediting its success to grassroots mobilisation and consistent effort.
While encouraging healthy competition among opposition parties for various elective positions, he called for unity behind a single presidential candidate within the coalition.
Context: Opposition Leaders’ Concerns
These remarks follow a joint statement by Munya, Muturi, and Devolution Empowerment Party leader Lenny Kivuti on August 4, 2026. They accused Gachagua of sidelining other parties and presenting himself as their spokesperson without consensus. The trio urged for restraint, dialogue, and mutual respect to avoid divisive politics as the country approaches a competitive election season.
Munya stressed the need for consultation and cooperative engagement among opposition parties, emphasizing that Gachagua did not have the mandate to represent Mt Kenya communities or political groups.
