Opposition Leaders Rule Out Backing Gachagua for President

Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya has sharply criticised DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of fuelling divisions within the opposition and exhibiting what he termed as “bullying” tendencies.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive,  Peter Munya faulted Gachagua’s leadership style and warned that his approach could derail efforts to unite the opposition ahead of the next General Election.

“Gachagua is a bully. You saw when he talked about the Governor of Murang’a, calling him kiherehere, and the Governor was attacked by goons when he went to Ol Kalou. We think he needs to act more responsibly when dealing with leaders and all human beings. Use your language in a more courteous manner. You’ll go further than you have gone,” Munya said.

At the same time, Munya questioned Gachagua’s suitability for higher office, pointing to what he described as troubling leadership traits and said he would not support him as a presidential candidate.

“That’s why I’m happy he is not our presidential candidate. Because I don’t think I would want that kind of a person to be I would not support that kind of a candidate, a person to run the country. Because those dictatorial tendencies are the same ones we are saying we don’t want in the current government,” Munya stated.

“How can you call people meeting, talking like stakes? I think there’s something wrong with him and he needs to address that very urgently,” he added.

Similarly, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka criticized Gachagua for belittling other opposition leaders and acting as though he owns the Mt. Kenya region.

Onyonka said some leaders are uncomfortable with the former Deputy President, adding that it is time for even smaller communities with lower populations to have an opportunity to lead the country.

“You are making us feel uncomfortable with you. You are talking about how you have the numbers and warning people against going to the Mountain. You believe that many of us who don’t have 4 million votes cannot be the president, but we are telling you it is now our time,” he said.

During a television interview in March 2026, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, a strong leader in the Opposition,  said he would not support Rigathi Gachagua if he is cleared by the court to run for president.

Natembeya argued that the Mt. Kenya region had already produced three presidents and that Kenya should embrace a rotational leadership model to allow other regions to lead.

“If he is cleared by the court to run for president, would you support him?” the host asked.

“Aaaa mhhh no, no. No because I believe that the presidency should rotate. The Mt Kenya community has had it for around 43 years almost 30 something years one community. And again when you go there there isn’t much difference… like people in Kikendu in Murang’a and the people in Kabuchai there is really no difference. They’ve had a president we have not had the president but our lives is just the same,” Netembeya responded.

Peter Munya Acknowledges Gachagua’s Role But Raises Concerns

However, Munya acknowledged Gachagua’s role in shaping opposition politics, even as he urged him to change course.

Munya recognised his influence in mobilising opposition voices but warned that his actions now risk undermining that progress and fracturing support.

“He’s done a lot of work in terms of promoting opposition politics. I don’t want to be unfair to him, but he has also very serious weaknesses that we are telling him to address. Because, you know, politics cuts both ways. You could do very well in terms of opposing the government like he’s doing, but at the same time, he’s also causing havoc in terms of dividing the people,” he said.

Also Read: Gachagua Clears Air on Forcing Mt Kenya Parties to Join DCP

Push for Structured Talks

Meanwhile, Munya said opposition leaders have already confronted Gachagua over his conduct and now expect him to tone down his rhetoric.

“So we are just telling him, and we have done it, We believe eventually he’ll tone down, and we’ll be able to work together. He has even said, come, we work together. And I hope he’s saying, ‘ Come, we work together in a structured manner,” he said.

Further, Munya insisted that the opposition must adopt structured and inclusive engagement if it hopes to succeed, rejecting informal consultations outright.

“Because some of us wouldn’t go to Wamunyoro. We can’t go to somebody’s house to discuss national issues and make national decisions. We need neutral meeting places where everybody is comfortable, where we can be able to discuss that structure and inclusive structure that allows all the bosses in the opposition to participate in the discussions, then we are able to arrive at one presidential candidate for the coming elections,” Munya stated.

Also Read: Gachagua Suffers Blow as Mt. Kenya Parties Reject Calls to Dissolve and Join DCP

12 Months to Rebuild Unity

Looking ahead, Munya expressed confidence that the opposition still has time to reorganise and build unity despite the current tensions.

He added that ongoing consultations, including those under the Azimio framework, could still produce a cohesive coalition if leaders embrace discipline and mutual respect.

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Justin Muturi, Peter Munya and Lenny Kivuti reject Gachagua’s plea to dissolve their parties and join DCP PHOTO/File