'Gachagua is a bully', Munya warns against former DP's 'dictatorial tendencies'

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV's JKLive, Munya said Gachagua's conduct towards other leaders was worrying and called on him to change his approach if the opposition was to remain united.

 "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.

Munya said he would not support Gachagua for the presidency if he decided to run, arguing that the former deputy president had displayed dictatorial tendencies.

"I'm hoping Gachagua is not a presidential candidate because I would not support that kind of a person to run the country. Those dictatorial tendencies are the same ones we are saying we don't want in the current government," he alleged.

Munya pointed out that he had never had a personal dispute with Gachagua and recalled his close relationship with the former deputy president's late brother.

 "There was a time when he was the Deputy President. I have never had any issues with him; I have never quarrelled with him. I was one of the best friends of his late brother. I went to visit his brother in hospital in the UK. Immediately he was elected, he went to Meru and publicly said Munya is a *msaliti*. He needs to walk slowly," Munya stated. 

Despite his criticism, the PNU leader acknowledged Gachagua's role in highlighting the failures of President William Ruto's administration.

"We don't have anything personal against Gachagua; we respect him. He has done a lot of work in terms of exposing the failures of the current government. We respect him and want to work with him, but the tendency to want to be a dictator and issuing threats to other people, he needs to stop it," he added.

Munya, however, expressed optimism that opposition parties could still unite before next year's General Election.

"Twelve months is a long time in politics. We can unite as the opposition, and in fact, that process has already begun. To create an environment where we can work together, we must reduce the bravado, name-calling and condescending language in our politics," he said

His remarks come days after Gachagua challenged Munya over PNU's performance in the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, claiming the party secured only 28 votes because it had failed to campaign effectively.

"You, Munya, and PNU did not campaign in Ol Kalou. You got 28 votes. If you don't campaign, how do you expect to get votes?" Gachagua said during a meeting with delegates from Mathioya and Kangema constituencies. 

The former DP dismissed claims that he wanted opposition leaders to abandon their parties, saying each party should build its own support base ahead of next year's election.