By Tony Wafula
Former Deputy President and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua has declared his intention to work with influential leaders from the Western region to consolidate support and prevent President William Ruto from gaining popularity in the region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing residents at the Bungoma Bus Park on Friday, Gachagua dismissed accusations of being tribal, asserting that his new political alignment cuts across the country and focuses on unity, development and justice for Kenyans.
“Those calling me tribal are the real tribalists. Look at me today, standing with leaders from every corner of this country, united by a vision to rescue Kenya from deceitful leadership,” the former deputy president noted.
Gachagua, who is now a critic of President Ruto’s administration, accused the head of state of betraying the Mt. Kenya region, which overwhelmingly backed him during the 2022 elections.
He insisted that the region has lost faith in Ruto’s leadership and vowed to rally Mt. Kenya leaders under one umbrella to chart a new political path.
“The people of Mt. Kenya has been betrayed. We gave him our votes, we stood by him but what did we get? Let me tell you today, Mt. Kenya votes are gone, they won’t back Ruto again,” he noted.
Gachagua was accompanied by former defence cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa, former interior CS Fred Matiang’i, DCP deputy party leader and former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
The leaders presented a united front, signalling their resolve to lock the Western region from Ruto’s influence and build a strong opposition alliance that would send William Ruto home.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who has been vocal about the neglect of Western Kenya, urged residents to back their coalition, assuring them that their government would prioritise reclaiming released government-owned factories.
“Our people have suffered enough. Industries like Nzoia Sugar, which once sustained thousands of livelihoods have been run down by poor leadership and selfish interests. I promise you, when we form the government, Nzoia Sugar will be reclaimed, revived and protected for the benefit of our people,” DAP-K deputy party leader affirmed.
Former interior CS Fred Matiang’i criticised the current government’s approach to dissent and governance, promising an end to intimidation and abuse of power if their coalition takes over.
“The abductions, arrests, protests we are witnessing today in our country are symptoms of a failed government. We cannot allow such impunity to continue. Under our leadership there will be no more abductions, no more politically motivated arrests. We will restore the rule of law and deliver for all Kenyans,” Matiang’i said.
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala alleged a secret meeting between President Ruto, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula and himself.
Malala claimed that during the meeting, Wetang’ula prioritised saving his party over safeguarding Western Kenya’s economic interests, including the fate of Nzoia Sugar.
“There was a day I sat with the President and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula. I saw with my own eyes how Wetang’ula sold out Nzoia Sugar to protect his political party. This is the reality our people must understand the betrayal is real, but we have a chance to correct it,” he said.
Eugene Wamalwa, a vocal critic of Ruto’s government, described the new movement as a people’s revolution aimed at safeguarding democracy, reviving the economy and restoring hope among Kenyans.
“We are building a coalition of the willing, a coalition of leaders who believe in service, not self-enrichment,” Wamalwa stated.
The opposition leaders also criticised the Kenya Kwanza government’s handling of the economy, citing the high cost of living, rising unemployment and continued closure of key industries as evidence of failure.
