Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who leads the DCP Party, has increasingly become a significant liability rather than an asset to the United Opposition’s cause.
Controversial public statements from the DCP leader and private remarks have consistently demonstrated a concerning pattern of isolationist politics, with an overwhelming focus on advancing ethnic interests rather than national unity. This approach threatens to undermine the coalition’s broader objectives.
Even though he holds membership within the United Opposition, Gachagua’s apparent desire to position himself as the ultimate authority within the alliance has created notable tensions.
His DCP party members have made remarkably presumptuous claims, suggesting the United Opposition would cease to exist without Gachagua’s involvement. This stance appears particularly counterproductive for a group purportedly dedicated to mounting a serious challenge against President Ruto’s administration in the upcoming 2027 elections.
The stark disconnect between Gachagua and other opposition leaders became glaringly evident when he publicly contradicted fellow United Opposition principal Kalonzo Musyoka regarding the timing of selecting their flagbearer.
This incident clearly illustrated that Gachagua is operating on a completely different wavelength from his coalition partners. While his colleagues actively promote messages of national unity and cohesion, Gachagua remains entrenched in outdated tribal politics reminiscent of the 1990s, showing little evolution in his political thinking.
Given the current trajectory of the Opposition, with such fundamental internal contradictions and lack of coherent messaging, their prospects for mounting a credible challenge in the 2027 elections appear increasingly dim.
The continued presence of such divisive elements within their ranks seriously undermines their ability to present a united front against the incumbent administration.
