Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s weekend appearance in Kitale and the pointed absence of DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua from a high-profile memorial gathering attended by the united opposition principals have intensified speculation that the former deputy president is not yet settled into the architecture of the united opposition.
The gathering, held on Sunday at Eugene Wamalwa’s home during the memorial service for former Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa, brought together Jubilee candidate Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, PLP’s Martha Karua, Narc boss Charity Ngilu, DP leader Justin Muturi and Uhuru himself.
Gachagua was not among those in attendance, a detail opposition insiders said was no accident.
For allies of the DCP leader, the omission has been read as a signal rather than a scheduling issue.
Their reading is that Uhuru has no appetite for elevating Gachagua into the inner circle of the opposition’s principal actors, especially at a time when the battle for the Mount Kenya vote is becoming more defined and more personal.
The political undertone was reinforced by Uhuru’s remarks in Kitale, where he urged Kenyans to choose the leaders they want in 2027 and appeared to list the names of several possible presidential contenders, Kalonzo, President William Ruto, Matiang’i and Edwin Sifuna, without mentioning Gachagua.
“Wakenya wana haki ya kujichagulia viongozi wanaowapenda, kama wanataka Kalonzo, ni Kalonzo, wakisema wanataka Ruto, ni Ruto, wakisema wanataka Matiang’i ni Matiang’i. Na wakisema ni Sifuna, ni Sifuna,” Uhuru said, drawing loud applause.
The omission has been interpreted as deliberate, especially because Uhuru has shown a growing public comfort with Matiang’i, who has fallen out with Rigathi Gachagua over Mt Kenya politics, and is the most popular presidential candidate in the region.
The friction between Gachagua and Uhuru sharpened further on Sunday in Nyeri, where the DCP leader told a church congregation that the former president should stay out of the present administration’s affairs and remain in retirement.
Gachagua said his camp would disagree with Uhuru if he chose to support the government.
“We have asked Uhuru to stay at home and rest, and leave us to deal with the government. Uhuru decides to help the government; we shall disagree with him. And we do not want that,” Gachagua said.
Jubilee Party has been repeatedly accused by Rigathi Gachagua of being a red wheelbarrow, insinuating Uhuru Kenyatta’s party is secretly backing President Ruto.
Mount Kenya remains the central prize, and the struggle to define its political voice has placed Gachagua on one side and Uhuru and Matiang’i on the other side. An increasingly visible collision course.
