Ruto allies accuse Gachagua of divisive politics over Ol Kalou remarks

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula addresses residents in Bungoma County. [Benard Lusigi, Standard] 

Allies of President William Ruto have accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of promoting divisive politics.

The leaders were responding to remarks by Gachagua urging Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata, the Linda Mwananchi movement and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to stay away from Ol Kalou campaigns.

Led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, the leaders said Gachagua's remarks were inconsistent with the constitutional rights to freedom of movement, political association and national cohesion.

Speaking during an empowerment programme for boda boda groups at Nabongo Mumia Cultural grounds in Matungu Constituency, Kakamega county and Lwandanyi ACK Comprehensive School in Sirisia Constituency, Bungoma County, on Saturday, Wetang'ula urged Kenyan leaders to focus on uniting rather than dividing the country along ethnic and regional lines.

"We are crisscrossing the country from Mombasa to Malaba and from Turkana to Lamu seeking to unite our people into one indivisible nation, not to divide them," he said.

The Speaker said communities living in Bungoma, including the Teso, Sabaot, Abaluhya and Kikuyu, had coexisted peacefully and warned against divisive politics.

"We want to unite our people. I do not want to see hatred based on tribe, ethnicity or political affiliation," he said.

Wetang'ula urged residents to register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying that President Ruto deserves a second term because of his development record.

"The President has fairly distributed development projects across all the 47 counties. Kenya needs a leader who unites rather than divides," he said.

The remarks came a day after Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), leader Gachagua told Governor Kang'ata and the Linda Mwananchi movement to stay away from the Ol Kalou campaigns, saying the contest should be left to local leaders familiar with the constituency.

"I want to tell my brother Irungu Kang'ata that we do not need you in Ol Kalou unless you are coming to campaign for another party," Mr Gachagua said, adding that the governor did not understand the constituency's political dynamics.

His comments have since attracted criticism from Kenya Kwanza leaders.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka termed the remarks "unfortunate" and questioned how a leader seeking national office could discourage fellow politicians from campaigning in parts of the country.

"How do you stop people from visiting your region and then expect to lead Kenya? That is not the leadership this country requires," Dr Lusaka said.

He said Kenyans have the right to campaign and associate politically in any part of the country.

"We do not practise politics that tells people where they can or cannot campaign. That belongs to the past," he added.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot accused the opposition of attempting to divide the country along ethnic lines, claiming that they are being funded by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to weaken President Ruto's re-election bid.

"We know some opposition activities are being funded to undermine this administration, but Kenyans should reject attempts to divide them along tribal lines," Cheruiyot said.

The senator urged Western Kenya leaders to remain united behind President Ruto's 2027 re-election bid, saying this would strengthen the region's bargaining power.

Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe described Gachagua's remarks as evidence of intolerance.

"Telling fellow leaders not to campaign in Ol Kalou confirms the politics of exclusion. Kenya belongs to all of us," he said.

Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe argued that the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan freedom of movement and political association, saying no region belongs to a particular individual or political group.

"Ol Kalou is part of Kenya. No one has the authority to bar other leaders from visiting or campaigning there," he said.

Webuye East MP Martin Pepela said the remarks undermined the spirit of national cohesion and justified Parliament's decision to impeach Gachagua last year.

“We want Wamunyoro to know that no part belongs to him, Kenya is one and even Ol Kalou is part of Kenya,” said Pepela. 

“We saw him telling Linda Mwananchi and Edwin Sifuna not to step foot in Ol-Kalou. We want to tell Bwana Senator Sifuna. You were chased from ODM and Rigathi Gachagua has also chased you away from Mount Kenya. Come home and join your brothers to support President William Ruto’s second term in office,” he added.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa accused Uhuru of allegedly supporting opposition formations aimed at weakening the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Butere MP Tindi Mwale urged leaders to focus on development instead of engaging in political confrontation.

Budalang'i MP Raphael Wanjala revived calls for the Western region to be considered for the running mate position in the 2027 General Election, proposing Speaker Wetang'ula as a suitable candidate.

The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election has increasingly become a battleground between Kenya Kwanza and the opposition with both sides trading accusations as campaigns enter the final stretch.