Political tensions within the Opposition have intensified as senior leaders continue to differ over strategy and leadership ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The latest fallout saw Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya openly criticize former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of using intimidation and confrontational politics that risk derailing efforts to forge a united Opposition front.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday evening, #Munya alleged that Gachagua had cultivated a reputation for intimidating fellow politicians and using inflammatory language instead of promoting dialogue and unity.
“Gachagua is a bully. You saw when he talked about the Governor of Murang’a, calling him ‘kiherehere’, and the governor was attacked by goons when he went to Ol Kalou. We think he needs to act more responsibly when dealing with leaders and all human beings. Use your language more courteously, and you’ll go further than you have gone,” Munya said.
The former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary urged the former deputy president to embrace humility and treat fellow leaders with dignity, arguing that mutual respect is essential for building strong political partnerships, particularly within the Mt Kenya region.
Munya also accused the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader of marginalising leaders from Meru, insisting that the county remains one of the largest voting blocs in the Mt Kenya region and should not be overlooked in Opposition politics.
“Humble yourself and address other people with respect. Embrace a structured way of dealing with issues. Look at Meru. Apart from Kiambu and Nyeri, we are one of the biggest voting blocs in the region and, as such, you should not dismiss us and start treating us as children,” he added.
While acknowledging Gachagua’s influence in the Mt Kenya political landscape, Munya dismissed suggestions that he was the region’s undisputed kingpin, maintaining that no individual officially holds such a position.
He further questioned Gachagua’s suitability for the presidency, saying he could not support his bid for State House because his style of leadership reflected the same authoritarian tendencies that many Kenyans want to leave behind.
Munya’s remarks come only days after Gachagua criticized PNU’s performance in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, arguing that the party’s poor showing, in which it garnered just 28 votes, was the result of inadequate campaigning.
The exchange also follows a recent controversy sparked by Gachagua’s call for smaller Opposition parties to dissolve and join the Democracy for Citizens Party. Although the former deputy president later insisted his comments had been taken out of context, the proposal was met with resistance from several leaders within the Mt Kenya region.
The latest criticism adds to growing discontent over Gachagua’s leadership within the Opposition. Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi is among leaders who have recently accused the former deputy president of attempting to intimidate allies into embracing his political agenda instead of fostering consensus.
