Broad-based leaders warn opposition against alliance with Gachagua

Speaking during separate political and development engagements in Nyamira, Kakamega, Busia, Teso North and Kwale counties on Friday, the leaders urged Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Dr Fred Matiang'i to abandon the opposition and work with President William Ruto instead.

What began as development meetings quickly turned into political rallies as leaders rallied support for President Ruto's re-election bid ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The leaders accused Gachagua of belittling fellow opposition leaders, saying recent public disagreements within the opposition had vindicated their earlier warnings.

 "Umeona sahii Gachagua anaiita kina Matiangi eti anatembea kama miti, kwani nyinyi ni miti?" ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga said.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said the unfolding wrangles within the opposition reflected concerns Kenya Kwanza leaders had previously raised.

"Si unaona ata wale marafiki walikuwa wanatukosoa baada ya kusema tukimtoa uongozini, sahii uaona vile Onyonka na Kibagendi wanapiga nduru, huyo mtu ni hatari," said Cheruiyot.

The leaders also appealed to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i to work with the Broad-based government, arguing that he stood to gain more by collaborating with President Ruto than remaining in the opposition.

"Unaona sahii Uhuru anamdanganya hapa na Gachagua anasema huko Kisii anasema hawawezi kupata uongozi eti watu hawako hapa," said Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.

President Ruto's Aide Farouk Kibet added, "Mtaendelea kushikilia chama cha ODM, ile ya Raila, tuachane na wale wakabila."

Leaders from the Gusii region echoed the call, urging Matiang'i to reject what they described as disrespect from opposition allies.

"Huyo mtu analenga mtoto wetu. Gachagua hatatutusi tena. Nataka kuambia Matiangi, wewe usitusiwe uko, kuja tufanye kazi na Ruto, nafasi yako iko," said Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi.

National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro added, "Wakati kijana wetu Matiangi wanakuja karibu mnaanza kumtusi, hata sisi ni mtoto wa mtu, ata sisi sio squatters."

In Moyeni, Kinango Constituency, Kwale County, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya led another pro-government delegation, urging residents to reject the opposition.

"We can not entrust the country leadership with an opposition which has no vision for this country with their leader Gachagua who is spreading hate and tribalism that threatens peace, unity and deepens political division ahead of 2027 elections," Wetangula said.

"We want to register over 4 million voters come 2027 in the entire Coast region to give us the respect and bargaining power at the national table," added Mvurya.

Meanwhile, in Kakamega, Busia and Teso North, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka and ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo intensified campaigns in support of President Ruto's second-term bid.

"Kuna watu ata Rais akiita watu State House wanakasirika, eti hawataki security guards waende State House," said Lusaka.

The leaders concluded their engagements by urging the Abagusii and Luhya communities to register as voters and rally behind President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.