How the Quiet Rift Between Uhuru and Gachagua Threatens Opposition Unity

A growing political rift between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is straining Kenya’s opposition coalition, raising concerns over its unity ahead of the 2027 general election.

Tensions within the alliance have deepened, particularly in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, where Gachagua’s rising influence has drawn sharp criticism from allies of Kenyatta. Cleophas Malala, deputy leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has accused Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party of working with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to weaken DCP and undermine Gachagua’s position in the region.

In response, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni alleged that Gachagua is secretly aligned with President William Ruto. Kioni claimed Gachagua attempted to persuade former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to leave Jubilee for a smaller Kisii-based party, an accusation strongly denied by DCP. The party maintains that Gachagua remains committed to the opposition and is being unfairly targeted by those seeking to divide the coalition.

Political analysts warn that such internal disputes threaten the credibility and effectiveness of the opposition. Professor Gitile Naituli of Multimedia University argues that Kenyatta’s camp is reacting to declining influence in Mt Kenya, where Gachagua has actively consolidated support since leaving office. Naituli also noted Kenyatta’s limited engagement in the 2022 election, suggesting this may be contributing to current tensions.

Recent events have further highlighted the coalition’s disunity. Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) marked its 20th anniversary in Kisii, while Kenyatta hosted Jubilee’s National Delegates Conference in Nairobi alongside Matiang’i. At the same time, Martha Karua announced her presidential bid at the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) convention, joined by Gachagua and other senior opposition leaders. 

The separate scheduling of these key events raised fresh questions about coordination and strategic direction within the alliance. Speculation over potential presidential candidates has added to the uncertainty. Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, a close ally of Gachagua, suggested that Jubilee may field Matiang’i as its presidential candidate in 2027, but insisted that the Mt Kenya region remains solidly behind DCP. 

In contrast, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba reaffirmed Kenyatta’s influence in the region and warned against what she termed “entitlement politics”. Debate over how to choose the opposition’s flagbearer continues. Eugene Wamalwa has called for a professional, merit-based approach to the selection process, arguing that voter numbers alone should not determine candidacy. 

Gachagua, however, insists that only a candidate capable of delivering substantial votes, particularly from Mt Kenya’s projected 8.4 million registered voters, can pose a serious challenge to President Ruto.