Gachagua softens stance on 'smaller' parties, calls for Mt. Kenya opposition coalition

In a seeming about-turn, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua is now retreating from his abrasive stance on smaller opposition parties in the Mt. Kenya region, saying there is no need to fight within what he terms as the "One-Term" team.

The former Deputy President now says he will ask for a meeting of all Mt. Kenya region parties for talks which he says will be about the formation of a coalition, dubbed "The Hyena Coalition."

Speaking while hosting a delegation from Subukia, Nakuru County, at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County, Gachagua called on constituent parties to work together with the sole aim of unseating President William Ruto.

"We have no problem with each other, we have one common enemy na nimeona vyama vingine wamepotea, let us focus on our common problem … shida ya Kenya ni William Ruto … serikali wanafurahia tukipigana, nimeambia kina Methu within our ‘One-Term’ movement hata mtu akikutusi wachana naye," he said.

In pushing for reconciliation among opposition parties in the Mt. Kenya region, the DCP leader is now calling for a meeting of all constituent parties for consultative talks, which he says will focus on the formation of a coalition he has dubbed "The Hyena Coalition."

"Nataka niende Nairobi baadaye nitafute Justin Muturi, hii vyama ya mlimani ni karibu 30… karibu 16 wamesema sisi tunataka wale ya hapa mlimani Muturi atuite tutengeneze coalition ya hapa mlimani ya vyama ya Wantam… na kwa sababu tumetukanwa na Duale tunataka tukubali hio jina tunataka tuite ‘The Hyena Coalition’…eeeh sasa my brother JB Muturi convene all of us hapa mlimani kwanza tutengeneze ‘The Hyena Coalition’ ya mafisi wote ya kukula Kasongo," he said.

Gachagua, who reiterated that there will be no zoning in the Mt. Kenya region during the 2027 General Election, said the coalition of parties would help provide enough agents to monitor the vote and boost voter turnout across the region.

"It is even more effective to have individual parties field agents who will protect the votes and mobilize voters to turn out," he added.

His remarks come two days after an exchange with leaders of the DP, PNU and D.E.P. parties, who accused him of being condescending towards them and their political parties.

The former DP also criticised President William Ruto for hosting delegations at State House, Nairobi, alleged that public resources were being used to influence voters ahead of the General Election.

"Leo ameleta watchmen... Hiyo ni pesa ya ufisadi inapeanwa," he stated.