At the height of a dramatic political stand-off, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has taken aim at his United Opposition co-principals, accusing them of failing to mobilise voters even as some harbour ambitions of securing the coalition's presidential flagbearer position.
Gachagua's criticism followed his nearly month-long visit to the United States during which he accused fellow opposition leaders of going quiet instead of countering what he described as Kenya Kwanza's efforts to discredit them in the eyes of Kenyans.
His remarks unsettled some of the coalition's co-principals prompting them to push back and accuse him of political bullying and high-handedness.
In his defence however the DCP leader said his colleagues had misunderstood his message insisting that they needed to take his advice and intensify grassroots mobilisation if their ambition of ending President William Ruto's single term in 2027 was to materialise.
"He (Ruto) is now working to consolidate his support, including in his own home turf. Those criticising me should know that press conferences and staying in the comfort of their homes will not push him away. They should instead go out on the ground and mobilise votes," the former Deputy President said.
Before launching his criticism of opposition colleagues, Gachagua had threatened to relocate permanently to the US if Ruto secured re-election, alluding to possible consequences for his critics after the 2027 General Election.
The former Mathira MP claimed that Ruto was determined to weaken Mt Kenya's political unity by using local politicians to fragment the region's voting bloc, thereby easing his path to a second term.
The political tensions came against the backdrop of a closed-door meeting on Sunday between Gachagua, Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang'i and Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, raising fresh questions about the direction of opposition unity.
Political analyst Maina Kamunya argues that Gachagua is justified in asserting authority and playing a supervisory role within the United Opposition, noting that he and to some extent People's Party of Kenya (PPK) leader Matiang'i understand Ruto's political machinery better than other opposition figures.
"They are the only people who understand the political game of William Ruto, bearing in mind that they were in the Kenya Kwanza Cabinet when they were campaigning for the 2022 presidential bid for William Ruto," he said.
Kamunya added that Ruto is a "very good mobiliser" who must always be taken seriously and said the Mt Kenya vote could prove decisive in the next presidential contest.
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