NAIROBI, Kenya — A rift has erupted within Mt. Kenya opposition politics after Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi, Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, and Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) leader Lenny Kivuti formally rejected calls by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to fold their respective outfits into the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
In a joint statement and media briefing delivered in Nairobi, the political caucus declared that Gachagua holds neither the legal nor the moral authority to dictate the future of independent political formations. The joint pushback comes in response to Gachagua’s July 26 appeal in Meru, where he urged Mt. Kenya-region parties to dissolve and consolidate under the DCP umbrella ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The leaders emphasized that political parties are constitutionally recognized institutions whose governance rests strictly with their lawful internal organs and membership.
“These political rights are both constitutional and statutory under Article 38 and cannot be diminished by the personal ambitions or preferences of any individual. Durable political partnerships are built on equality, trust, and respect for institutional autonomy—not demands that some parties cease to exist.”
Addressing what they termed double standards, DP leader Justin Muturi challenged Gachagua to have lawmakers allied to him who were elected on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) tickets resign and test their popularity in fresh by-elections before asking other parties to dismantle.
“If he genuinely believes in political realignment based on principle and the sovereign will of the people, then he should encourage those elected on UDA tickets to resign and seek fresh mandates through by-elections,” the statement read.
The trio rejected attempts to position Gachagua as the sole political spokesman for Mt. Kenya, stating that leadership in the region must be earned through consensus rather than declarations of supremacy.
The friction follows DCP’s aggressive campaign to consolidate opposition support in Mt. Kenya after its recent by-election victory in Ol Kalou. Gachagua had announced plans for DCP to sponsor candidates across all 47 counties, urging minor parties in the region to merge to avoid vote splitting.
However, Muturi and his allies argued that democratic governance thrives on choice and diversity rather than forced political zoning. While reaffirming their willingness to cooperate with like-minded opposition entities against the Kenya Kwanza administration, the leaders insisted that future engagements must be anchored on structured dialogue, voluntary association, and mutual respect.
