Democratic Party of Kenya (DPK) leader Justin Muturi has launched a sharp attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of pursuing divisive politics that threaten opposition unity and could undermine efforts to mount a formidable challenge for State House in the 2027 General Election.
In a four-page statement issued on November 2 under the banner of the Democratic Party of Kenya, Muturi told Gachagua to stop what he described as political bullying, double-speak and actions that could weaken the opposition’s push for power.
“Mr Gachagua must understand one fundamental truth: No Kenyan President has ever been made by one community alone. The presidency is won through national consensus, strategic alliances and the ability to unite Kenyans across ethnic and regional boundaries,” Muturi said.
Justin Muturi on Gachagua’s Latest Direction
Muturi said the direction taken by Gachagua had raised concerns about his commitment to the opposition’s collective presidential agenda under the Wantam movement.
He argued that the former Deputy President’s push for tripartite political arrangements and his alleged opposition to established cooperation within the opposition risked creating the impression that he was focused on negotiating power after the election rather than securing victory at the ballot.
The DPK leader questioned whether the opposition’s primary goal was winning the presidency or gaining control of parliamentary, county and other elective positions at the expense of a broader national objective.
He maintained that building a successful national coalition requires compromise, maturity and strategic planning, adding that splitting an opposition movement that requires unity could undermine its chances of success.
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Muturi further rejected the idea that any individual leader or community could claim ownership of the opposition movement or determine the country’s political future on its own.
“Let it be clear: No individual owns the United Opposition, and no community has a monopoly on Kenya’s presidency. Political partnerships must be built on mutual respect, not ultimatums, political bullying or supremacy contests,” he stated.
Gachagua Family History Drawn Into Dispute
In the statement, Muturi also referenced the political history of Gachagua’s family.
He pointed to the electoral victory of the late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua over The National Alliance (TNA), the party that propelled former President Uhuru Kenyatta to power, saying the outcome demonstrated that political formations are complex and cannot be controlled by a single individual.
He also challenged the assumption that three separate political formations could automatically guarantee victory in the next presidential election.
According to Muturi, Kenya’s presidential politics cannot be reduced to ethnic arithmetic, regional strongholds or individual bargaining power.
Muturi warned that fragmentation within the opposition could weaken the aspirations of millions of Kenyans seeking political change and called on opposition leaders to decide whether they were building a united national movement or pursuing separate political interests.
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He said the opposition faces a choice between pursuing a shared presidential ambition and creating independent political centres whose leaders would later negotiate individual interests after the election.
Justin Muturi further argued that the push to remove the current administration requires sacrifice, discipline, strategic thinking and commitment to a common objective.
He cautioned against allowing individual ambitions to overshadow the expectations of opposition supporters across the country.
While reaffirming the Democratic Party’s willingness to engage in dialogue with leaders committed to meaningful discussions and constructive solutions, Muturi said the party would not surrender its principles or bow to intimidation.
The statement ended with a direct appeal for unity within the opposition and a warning against personal political interests taking precedence over collective objectives.
“Kenya is bigger than any one politician. State House is the national prize. Unity must not be sacrificed at the altar of individual political survival,” Muturi said.
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