Gachagua: Ignore online noise, focus on removing Ruto

DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua adresses a political rally in Kitengela on November 8, 2026. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

After a week characterised by a war of words among the United opposition principals, Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) party leader Rigathi Gachagua struck a reconciliatory tone on Sunday, saying the opposition was committed to unity.

Speaking during a political rally in Kitengela, Kajiado County, after a church service at Full Gospel Church, Isinya, where he was accompanied by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the former Deputy President maintained that the opposition remained united and committed to working together to challenge President Ruto.

Gachagua urged opposition coalition principals to exercise restraint and avoid being drawn into unnecessary political exchanges, warning that constant reactions to provocations from supporters could derail their collective mission of unseating President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

He said opposition leaders must remain focused on their broader political objective instead of allowing minor disagreements, personal attacks and emerging differences among their supporters to weaken the coalition ahead of the highly anticipated elections.

"I want to assure you that all is well in the opposition. Let us ignore the small issues that are happening. We are focused, and we are ready to take William Ruto home," said Gachagua.

He called on supporters of the various opposition formations to exercise political maturity, arguing that unnecessary confrontations could allow their opponents to exploit divisions within their ranks.

Speaking straight after holding closed-door consultations with Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiangi and Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday morning, Gachagua said that he had spoken with all leaders and the commitment is the same.

"Today I had breakfast with Matiang’i and Kalonzo and we have spoken. Everyone is committed. Yesterday I was with Sifuna till midnight and he is committed. Eugene is committed. I've spoken with Martha Karua on the phone and she's committed," he said.

Gachagua, however, warned opposition leaders against heeding calls from their social media support base, stating that they might mislead them out of the opposition.

"If there are people who can split the opposition, it is our supporters on social media. They are lighting up a fire which is not there," Gachagua said.

He took particular issue with the squabbles between supporters of Matiang’i and his supporters, noting that while they quarrel, the two were reading from the same page.

He termed the internal wrangles between principals as sibling rivalry.

"Those little things you are seeing in the opposition are sibling rivalry within our house. It's normal in any family. I want to ask leaders to be careful. Don't listen to overzealous supporters; they will lead you astray," he added.

Gachagua said that the internal debate was two-pronged; one is on when to name the flag bearer.

"Kalonzo is saying we name in December. Riggy G is saying let us mention our candidate in April. Sifuna is saying February next year. That is a good debate," he said.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka adresses a political rally in Kitengela on November 8, 2026. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

The second bone of contention, according to him, is how to identify the candidate.

"One is saying I have policies, I have a track record. Rigathi is saying I have numbers but the person to decide whether you have the capacity is the voter," said Gachagua.

In their first joint rally since they met at Gachagua's Wamunyoro residence, Gachagua and Kalonzo stormed Kitengela town, where they reiterated the same pledge.

"We must unite and get one candidate to send Ruto home. Kenyans have decided that he is one term," said Kalonzo.

Gachagua dismissed those saying that Sifuna has no experience, stating that it doesn't have any bearing so long as you convince Kenyans that you can lead them.

Gachagua also condemned what he termed selective issuance of identity cards in areas where the President is popular, especially in the North Rift region, warning the registrar of persons of any such plot.

"You are giving people who are under age identity cards. We want to ask for non-discrimination in issuing ID cards despite their political leaning," he added.

Taking cognisance of the violence meted out on Kalonzo and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi in Migori, leaders accompanying Gachagua condemned any form of violence.

While the rally was peaceful, the leaders cautioned against any mischief during the church service which preceded the rally.

"Kajiado is a DCP zone. Kajiado County is a place of peace and we don't want violence. We don't want anyone to disturb us. You can't disrupt peace in Kitengela," said Kajiado Senator Kanar Ole Seki.

Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo said he wrote to the Inspector General of Police prior to the rally to help them control traffic, warning him against any violence.

"Don't send police to destroy peace. Don't use police to attack innocent civilians," he said.

Drawing parallels with the just-concluded United States of America midterm elections, Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia said that the same was going to happen in Kenya in August next year.

"We have seen a blue tsunami in America; the same tsunami, a green tsunami, is coming to Kenya," said Muhia.

Regarding President William Ruto's visit to the Gusii region, which began on Sunday, Gachagua said that the President was planning to court Matiang'i during the entire four-day tour.

He claimed that projects like Nyamira University, Suneka airstrip and Kisii cancer centre were among projects that had stalled.

Gachagua alleged that Sh300 million has been put in bags in Prados, going to Kisii to mobilise people to attend the stopovers.

The leaders faulted the Government for failing to deliver the promise of dualling the Athi River- Kitengela road.

Politics of the transfer of the Amboseli park to the county Government of Kajiado also took centre stage, with Gachagua alleging that it was President Ruto who sponsored court cases to frustrate the process.

He also condemned the attack on livestock in Samburu County, criticising President Ruto for planning to attend the upcoming Maa festival despite the killing of their livestock in Samburu.

"How do you celebrate the culture of the Maa yet you have killed 700 livestock through stray bullets?" Gachagua posed.

The rally was attended by a huge delegation of Wiper and DCP elected leaders in a joint show of might.

After the Sunday morning meeting, Matiangi posted on his Facebook page, saying, "Brothers will always put Kenya first," he said.

On Saturday evening, Gachagua was with Linda Mwananchi Movement's party leader Edwin Sifuna and lawyers across the Mt. Kenya region, gracing the Ngemi Cia Watho second edition event in Murang’a County.

Gachagua further insisted that the opposition was determined to put its house in order and develop a united political front capable of mounting a formidable challenge against Ruto.

The DCP leader also sought to calm growing political speculation over who would eventually fly the opposition presidential flag, assuring supporters that the coalition would settle on one candidate to face the President.

He said the process of identifying a single presidential candidate would be handled through consultations among the coalition principals, adding that the ultimate objective should be victory rather than individual political ambitions.

His remarks come amid growing political activity and realignments as opposition leaders position themselves for the 2027 presidential contest.

Kalonzo, who also addressed the gathering, echoed Gachagua's sentiments, assuring Kenyans that opposition principals were working together despite the political exchanges witnessed among their respective supporters.

The Wiper leader maintained that the opposition was committed to building a united front and would not allow minor disagreements to undermine its preparations for the next General Election.

Kalonzo's presence alongside Gachagua in Kitengela was also seen as a show of solidarity between the two leaders as they seek to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 political contest.

He urged Kenyans to remain confident in the opposition's ability to present a credible alternative to the current administration, insisting that the coalition's principals understood the importance of unity in achieving their political ambitions.

The two leaders' message appeared aimed at containing emerging tensions within opposition ranks, particularly as different political camps continue to rally support for their preferred leaders and presidential ambitions.

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the question of who will carry the opposition's presidential ticket is expected to remain a major subject of political negotiations.

However, Gachagua and Kalonzo sought to project an image of unity, maintaining that their differences, if any, should not overshadow their shared objective of mounting a united challenge against President Ruto.

For the opposition, the challenge will now be translating the public declarations of unity into a structured political arrangement, agreeing on a presidential candidate and mobilising supporters across the country.

The Kitengela rally therefore provided another platform for the opposition leaders to reaffirm their commitment to cooperation, with Gachagua insisting that their eyes remained firmly fixed on the 2027 presidential contest.