A major political fallout that could split the opposition looms in Mt Kenya following a supremacy contest between Rigathi Gachagua and the Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee brigade.
Gachagua, who launched his political machine — Democracy for the Citizens Party — two weeks ago, has opposed the revival of Jubilee, with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as its captain.
The DCP leader wants Dr. Fred Matiang’i to form his own political party, outside Jubilee for the 2027 top seat.
The fear in Gachagua’s camp is that a strong Jubilee will weaken his grip on the region as many aspirants could seek political office through the former ruling party, Jubilee.
Already, the impeached deputy president’s misgivings are putting him at odds with the Uhuru team, a move likely to split the opposition.
In response, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni says Rigathi Gachagua lacks the national appeal to win a presidential election and that the former DP’s shareholding remarks alienated him from many communities.
”If you want to be a presidential candidate, you must look beyond your region and community. That is what former presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta did,” Kioni said.
Kioni criticized Gachagua for urging Matiang’i to form regional political party, saying such a move would undermine the former CS’s 2027 chances.
