Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i has cautioned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against what he described as arrogance and pride, warning that the conduct could undermine efforts to unite the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Sunday night, November 1, Matiang’i said Gachagua’s remarks risk creating divisions among opposition leaders and making it harder for them to agree on a common political strategy.
“With tremendous respect to the leader because he is a leader of a party, that arrogance and that particular pride is precisely what is going to split the opposition and make it very difficult for the opposition to unite,” Matiang’i said.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary called for an inclusive political approach that accommodates leaders and communities from across the country, arguing that Kenya’s political future should not be determined by a handful of ethnic groups.
He cited the 2007 post-election crisis as a warning against divisive politics, recalling how ethnic-based political alignments contributed to tensions that caused widespread suffering.
“Our country does not belong to three groups; our country belongs to more than 40 groups. If you remember in 2007 when we had challenges in this country, the whole politics started from that level of arrogance which finally resulted in 41 versus 1 and caused so much pain and anguish in the country,” he stated.
Matiang’i also questioned the political fate of communities that some leaders consider insignificant when calculating their electoral strength.
He argued that opposition leaders should not assume they can secure victory by relying on a few ethnic voting blocs while disregarding other communities.
“Those that you think are useless and don’t matter, the numbers you say you don’t need what are they supposed to do? They leave Kenya tonight?” he posed.
Also Read: Ruto to Launch Roads, Unveil Major Announcements During Kisii, Nyamira Tour
The Jubilee Party leader maintained that political competition should focus on policies, leadership records, qualifications and competence rather than ethnic arithmetic.
“I thought that this was a competition of ideas, platforms, track records, competence and qualifications,” Matiang’i added.
His remarks followed comments by Gachagua suggesting that he, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had sufficient electoral support to form the next government.
Gachagua projected that Sifuna could attract four million votes, Kalonzo three million, while he would secure approximately 10 million votes.
The former Deputy President had also predicted that the United Opposition would experience a fallout before the 2027 General Election, with one of its principals eventually walking away.
Speaking during an engagement with Kenyans living in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday, September 27, Gachagua said the opposition would eventually settle on a single presidential candidate, but one of the principals would leave the coalition.
He attributed his prediction to his experience and understanding of Kenya’s political landscape, suggesting that divisions similar to those witnessed in previous political alliances could emerge as the election approaches.