Opposition blasts ruling regime over warlords, calls for unity vote

United Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua in Igembe Central, Meru County. [File Courtesy]

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has branded President William Ruto an enemy of the Mt Kenya region, as Opposition leaders accused the government of cozying up to foreign warlords.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka further claimed that the government had issued Kenyan passports to figures linked to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), saying the move has damaged the country’s international standing.

“The consequences for ordinary Kenyans are both immediate and lasting; heightened scarcity at international borders, severe complications in obtaining visas for education and employment, lasting reputational damage to Kenyan passports and the erosion of bilateral trust with Western and regional partners,” Kalonzo said.

On the second day of their regional tour yesterday, the leaders intensified their push to campaign against Mt Kenya politicians backing President Ruto’s administration.

Gachagua urged Meru residents to reject Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia and local MPs, including Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi, branding them traitors of the Mount Kenya community.

The former Deputy President said the Meru leaders had conspired against former governor Kawira Mwangaza, whom they helped impeach, against the wishes of the people.

“The people of Meru elected Mwangaza, and she should have been allowed to complete her term. It is for the people to decide whether to re-elect her,” he said.

While speaking in the miraa-growing zones of Igembe, he accused President  Ruto’s administration of failing to protect the interests of miraa farmers, as well as the perennial cattle rustling and banditry in the region.

“They promised miraa markets, but what they have delivered are miraa cartels. This must be corrected,” he said, urging residents to vote out Ruto in next year’s elections.

He added that Meru leaders allied to Ruto must not be re-elected. “They are traitors who must not be voted back. As the leader of Mount Kenya, I am appealing to you to reject them,” he said.

He also labelled President Ruto an enemy of the Mount Kenya people, asserting that residents have suffered under his administration.

Gachagua claimed traders were struggling, ordinary citizens were not benefiting from the government’s health insurance plan and highlighted other failures of the administration.

“Social Health Authority (SHA) is not working and businesses are struggling. You have no reason to vote for Ruto,” Gachagua told the crowd that gathered as his entourage passed through Chuka on its way to Meru. He asserted that the Mount Kenya people would vote as a block to deny President Ruto a second term next year.

“The Mount Kenya vote block will go into one basket. It is this mountain that will defeat you,” he said, adding that leaders will resist attempts to divide Mount Kenya East and West for political gain.