The united opposition front is showing signs of strain as two of its key figures clash over territorial politics in Mount Kenya region.
Peter Munya, leader of the Party of National Unity (PNU), has publicly broken ranks with Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of meddling in Meru county affairs.
The confrontation, which sources say turned heated during a principals’ meeting in Nairobi last week, has resulted in both parties boycotting each other’s activities in the region.
The fallout became evident during Jubilee leader Fred Matiang’i’s visit to Meru on Thursday, June 4th.
While Munya and other local PNU leaders warmly received Matiang’i for a tour that included public rallies and consultations with youth, traders, and farmers, DCP leaders were conspicuously absent.
Munya had earlier announced that the visit would feature all major opposition figures, including Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa—in a show of unity meant to strengthen the opposition’s foothold in the region.
But DCP organizing secretary Linturi rejected the arrangement outright, accusing Munya of overstepping by using DCP leaders’ images on campaign posters without consultation.
This isn’t the first time the two leaders have clashed.
Recent weeks have seen them exchange barbs at a funeral in Tigania East, and the defection of North Imenti parliamentary hopeful Carol Karimi from DCP to PNU has only widened the rift
