In a move that could set the United Opposition on a fallout path, a number of parties have come out to call out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a joint statement released Tuesday, August 4, 2026, leaders and senior officials from the Democratic Party (DP), PNU, Umoja na Maendeleo Party and BUS Party have dismissed what they described as attempts by the former Mathira Member of Parliament (MP) to project himself as the political voice of the Mount Kenya region.
Gachagua’s remarks made during a church event in Meru on July 26, 2026, seem to have triggered some of the opposition parties whose leaders come predominantly from the Mount Kenya East.
Gachagua then urged the Democratic Party, the Party of National Unity (PNU), Umoja na Maendeleo, and the BUS Party to dissolve and join his outfit, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Notion rejected
“We also reject any impression that Hon. Gachagua has been appointed or mandated to speak on behalf of all the people or political parties of the Mt. Kenya region. No such meeting has ever been convened, nor has any consensus been reached conferring such authority upon him,” the political parties, through a statement signed by Peter Munya of PNU and Muturi of DP, said.
“Leadership is earned through service, humility, and consensus, not through declarations of supremacy over independent political formations.
“Unity must be anchored on mutual respect, consultation, and voluntary cooperation, not coercion, political ultimatums, or demands for surrender.”
Divisive pronouncements
Instead, Munya, a former Cabinet Secretary, insisted that Gachagua must embrace the spirit of dialogue.
“We call upon Honourable Gachagua to desist from divisive pronouncements and instead embrace structured dialogue, consultation, and respectful engagement among all like-minded political parties,” Munya said.
“Durable political partnerships are built on equality, trust, and respect for institutional autonomy.
“It is worth noting that we cannot pretend to be growing our parties while simultaneously knocking out others in order to own specific regions,” he said.
The statement by some of the opposition leaders comes at a time when focus is on the ‘alternative government,’ as many are keen to see who would be put forward to take on President William Ruto in 2027.
