'Only one person can occupy the seat': Uhuru challenges opposition leaders to unite

The two leaders, who were joined by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and other political figures at PCEA Nairobi West, used the occasion to reflect on their political history, with Gachagua declaring that he would never again allow anyone to come between him and Kenyatta.

Speaking during the service, Gachagua recounted how the deceased had played a significant role in his personal and political life, including helping him acquire properties and supporting Kenyatta's presidential campaigns.

"I have come here because of our long history with the late. She taught me entrepreneurship, and the properties I own in this country, including my Karen home, were acquired through her help," Gachagua said.

He joked that since his removal from office, he had been surviving by selling some of the properties the deceased helped him acquire.

"Tangu nifutwe kazi, properties alizonisaidia kupata ndio nauza moja moja," he remarked.

Gachagua also recalled working alongside Wambui to support Kenyatta's first presidential bid, claiming that their relationship had subsequently been strained by individuals who sought to drive a wedge between them.

"Together with her, we worked to make Uhuru Kenyatta president during his first attempt. Mtu aliingia katikati yangu na Uhuru kutusambaratisha, lakini sasa si tuko pamoja?" he posed.

"Let me say this: nobody will ever succeed in coming between me and former President Uhuru Kenyatta again."

In another revelation, Gachagua admitted to spending Ksh.1.5 million that Wambui had given him to support Kenyatta's campaign during the repeat presidential election in 2017.

According to the former Deputy President, the deceased approached him following the Supreme Court's annulment of the presidential election results and handed him the money to assist in securing Kenyatta's victory.

"When our election was nullified by the Supreme Court in 2017, we were so disappointed and did not even have money. Huyu mama akanitafuta tu kuhakikisha tunashinda uchaguzi wa marudio," he recalled.

"Aliniletea pesa kwa karatasi ya nylon nisaidie Uhuru, lakini nilikuwa na mahitaji yangu. Hiyo KSh 1.5 million, I confess, nilitumia kwa mambo yangu."

Responding to the admission, Kenyatta jokingly threatened to visit Gachagua's Wamunyoro residence to recover the money.

"Mimi niliretire, lakini nitaenda kwa Wamunyoro kudai ile pesa yangu ya campaign aliyochukua," Kenyatta said, drawing attention to the former allies' renewed camaraderie.

Beyond the humour, however, Kenyatta delivered a pointed message to opposition leaders, urging them to put aside personal ambitions and consolidate their political efforts.

The former President said Kenyans were increasingly demanding unity among leaders seeking to offer an alternative political direction for the country.

"What happened in the past is in the past. What should concern Kenyans is where we are going," he said.

Addressing Gachagua and other leaders, including Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, Kenyatta reminded them that political leadership required compromise, noting that only one person could occupy the presidency at a time.

"As I keep telling my brothers here, Steve, Rigathi, Eugene and others, unajua kiti inaweza kukaliwa na mtu mmoja. Pia mimi naskiza ground, sio ati masikio imefungwa," he stated.

He said his interactions with ordinary Kenyans had revealed a growing desire for opposition leaders to present a united front.

"Ninapotembea ground kutafuta kauji, nasikia watu wakisema ni kama wameamua kwamba shida yao ni moja, na hiyo shida ni umoja wa hii watu," he said.

"Watu wanataka kuona hawa viongozi wetu wakishikana, lakini nahisi wameamua mahali wanaenda. Viongozi wetu, mjipange na muungane mtimize vile Wakenya wanataka."

Kenyatta expressed confidence that the leaders would heed the public's call, while insisting that justice must remain central to any efforts to unite the country.

"And I am sure that is what you will deliver for us, with justice. There can be no peace without justice," he added.

Gachagua, meanwhile, used an allegory involving a herder, a hyena and missing sheep to reflect on his political experiences.

Speaking in Kikuyu, the DCP leader narrated how a trusted herder had allegedly allowed a hyena to infiltrate a flock, resulting in the disappearance of two sheep.

He described how warnings about the danger had initially been ignored, before the situation deteriorated and he was eventually sent home.

Gachagua then asked whether he would receive support in removing the hyena without destroying the remaining flock.

He also praised Kenyatta's recent political remarks, saying leaders must learn from past mistakes and listen to advice from those with experience.

For his part, Kalonzo defended Kenyatta's continued involvement in national political discourse, saying retirement from public office did not diminish his right to express opinions on the country's direction.

"We wanted Uhuru to stay out of this as we transform the country, but he is entitled to his opinion and still has the right to contribute to national discourse," Kalonzo said.

The Wiper leader also called for greater political unity, arguing that Kenyans had a shared responsibility to address the country's challenges.

"It is time for all of us to rescue the nation-state," he said.

Kalonzo further defended young people's right to political expression, criticising remarks advocating the shooting of protesters in the legs.

"When somebody says, 'Shoot Gen Z in the leg,' that is a presidential fear. And this is why Kenyans are united in calling for one term," he said.

"Young Kenyans have the right to express their political opinions. Next year, they will go to the ballot and say, 'You wanted to shoot us in the legs; we will shoot you at the ballot.'"

The leaders also paid tribute to Wambui, whom they described as an influential figure whose contributions extended beyond her family to Kenya's political history.

Kenyatta said the deceased had maintained a particularly close relationship with his mother, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, dating back to her marriage to founding President Jomo Kenyatta.

"The late Beatrice Wambui Muturi was very close to Mama Ngina Kenyatta. She welcomed her into my father's home when she got married to my father, and our extended family has lost one of its greatest pillars," he said.

Kalonzo similarly remembered Wambui for her contribution to Kenya's independence struggle, reflecting on the country's political direction and the aspirations of those who fought for freedom.