Sifuna Criticises Gachagua for ‘Divisive’ Remarks

The Kenya Moja Alliance has issued a strong response to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over claims that sections of the opposition are secretly aligned with President William Ruto’s government.

Speaking on Tuesday, Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna criticised what he described as gatekeeping within the opposition, warning that such actions could undermine unity in the push to unseat President Ruto in the 2027 General Election. He accused certain leaders of attempting to dominate the narrative around the “one-term presidency” movement, insisting that the campaign must remain inclusive.

“Some of us were calling for Ruto’s exit as early as 2023, when others were still in his corner,” said Sifuna, rejecting Mr Gachagua’s implied leadership role within the opposition.

The Kenya Moja Alliance, led by emerging politicians from various parties, has positioned itself as a youthful alternative to both the ruling coalition and the established opposition under Raila Odinga. The alliance has announced plans to field its own presidential candidate in 2027, arguing that Kenyans deserve more diverse leadership options.

“Let us not be boxed into believing that leadership alternatives are limited to a handful of individuals,” Sifuna said.

Gachagua, now heading the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), recently claimed during an interview on KTN that President Ruto’s allies have infiltrated opposition parties with the aim of creating internal divisions. His comments have prompted sharp responses, including from DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala, who accused the Jubilee Party, linked to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, of working with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to weaken Mr Gachagua’s influence in the Mt Kenya region.

Mr Malala pointed to recent appearances of red wheelbarrows, a symbol associated with UDA, in parts of Mt Kenya as evidence of Jubilee’s alleged cooperation with the government. He warned that such signals could damage the credibility of opposition efforts in the region.

However, Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni dismissed the claims, alleging instead that Gachagua is acting as a proxy for President Ruto. Kioni further claimed that Gachagua had previously tried to pressure former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i into leaving Jubilee for a smaller Kisii-based party.

The dispute highlights growing divisions within Kenya’s opposition, as competing groups vie for control and public support ahead of the next election. The emergence of the Kenya Moja Alliance introduces a new player into the political landscape, challenging traditional power structures and advocating for broader participation in the country’s leadership.