Kitutu Chache MP Anthony Kibagendi has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of undermining efforts to unite Kenya’s opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kibagendi, a political ally of Jubilee Deputy leader Fred Matiang’i, said Gachagua had increasingly adopted a confrontational approach towards fellow opposition leaders instead of helping build a broad national coalition capable of challenging President William Ruto.
“I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: Rigathi Gachagua is currently the greatest impediment to the unity of the opposition,” Kibagendi said.
His remarks followed Gachagua’s recent tour of Kiambu County, where Kibagendi accused the former deputy president and his allies of concentrating on attacks against Matiang’i, Senator Richard Onyonka and himself rather than presenting a clear policy agenda.
Kibagendi said much of Gachagua’s criticism of the government was not new, arguing that opposition leaders had raised similar issues for years.
He also accused Gachagua of attempting to position himself as the political gatekeeper of the Mt Kenya region.
“Gachagua should be a national leader rather than a self-appointed political gatekeeper of Mt. Kenya,” he said.
Kibagendi said the 2022 vote in Mt Kenya that helped propel Ruto to the presidency was the result of efforts by several political actors, including Alice Wahome, Moses Kuria and Ndindi Nyoro, and was not the achievement of Gachagua alone.
He further claimed that he, David Mugonyi and Korir Sing’oei had at one point advised Ruto to have Gachagua accompany him during political visits to Mt Kenya because of his effectiveness as a communicator.
But Kibagendi said Kenya had since changed and warned against returning to politics based on ethnic and regional ownership.
He argued that Matiang’i should not be reduced to a Gusii leader, just as other politicians should not be confined to their ethnic communities.
The MP also defended Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions, citing his record in government and repeated public endorsement by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kibagendi alleged that Gachagua’s allies had intensified attacks against Matiang’i after recognising his growing political appeal in Mt Kenya.
He also criticised the practice of dismissing political opponents as Kasongo moles whenever they challenge Gachagua’s position.
