Rigathi Gachagua’s combative politics are once again leaving fractures in his wake, this time inside the so-called “united opposition.” What was sold as a coalition of equals ahead of the November 27 by-elections is fast unraveling, with Gachagua’s Democratic Congress Party (DCP) at the center of the discord.
On September 9, DCP announced withdrawals in Embu, Machakos, and Bungoma in the name of unity. But Gachagua’s party has clung tightly to Malava, insisting on fielding Edgar Busiega despite Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) already having a strong presence in Kakamega. This double-standard—yielding ground where convenient while entrenching where it suits him—has sparked accusations of dishonesty and bad faith.
Eugene Wamalwa’s camp calls it outright disrespect: a Luhya stronghold being turned into Gachagua’s battleground to inflate his personal clout. Local protests and sharp words from DAP-K have amplified the sense of betrayal. Critics say it mirrors Gachagua’s broader pattern—demanding loyalty, dismissing dissent, and weaponizing tribal rhetoric to muscle through his ambitions.
The result? A shaky opposition more defined by egos than ideals. In Malava, a split between DCP and DAP-K could hand UDA an easy victory. If Gachagua truly seeks to lead, his politics of insult and intimidation are self-defeating. Unity requires persuasion, not witch-hunts. Left unchecked, his reckless maneuvers risk collapsing the very coalition he claims to champion.
