The opposition’s hopes for a united front in 2027 suffered a major blow last week following a clash between Rigathi Gachagua and Jubilee Party flagbearer Dr. Fred Matiang’i over Mt Kenya politics.
A potentially irreversible split in the united opposition.
The fallout has led to rival camps within the outfit to consolidate around different presidential candidates, threatening to further fragment what many had hoped would be a unified front against President William Ruto.
Sources close to both leaders confirm that there are two rival camps in the United Opposition, each with their 2027 candidates, as a result of the growing wedge between Gachagua and Matiang’i.
Gachagua has fully thrown his weight behind Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, with insiders describing the decision as “fully settled” and irreversible.
“All forces have been ordered to rally behind Kalonzo,” a source within Gachagua’s camp revealed, adding that the DCP leader is “fully determined” to see the former Vice President as the opposition’s flag bearer.
Meanwhile, Matiang’i has secured backing from a powerful coalition including former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, veteran politicians James Orengo and Peter Munya, and PLP leader Martha Karua.
In a desperate bid to salvage opposition unity, Kalonzo Musyoka has positioned himself as a mediator between the warring factions, attempting to hold together the Jubilee Party and Gachagua’s DCP.
There are questions about whether even Kalonzo’s diplomatic efforts can bridge the widening chasm.
Both Martha Karua and Peter Munya have distanced themselves from Gachagua in Mt Kenya, conspicuously staying away from recent DCP party meetings in the region. The two have pledged allegiance to the Matiang’i camp.
Munya, also the PNU leader, and DCP National Organizing Secretary Mithika Linturi do not see eye to eye over Meru politics.
The absence of these key Mt. Kenya figures from Gachagua’s political rallies in the last one month has revealed the depth of the fallout.
With Eugene Wamalwa and former Attorney General Justin Muturi already aligned with the Gachagua-Kalonzo faction, and the Matiang’i camp boasting the influential backing of Uhuru Kenyatta’s formidable war chest, the opposition now faces the prospect of fielding multiple candidates in 2027 against President Ruto.
