The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala has said he backs the appointment of former Kimilili MP Mukhisa Kituyi as United Opposition spokesperson and the Head of Secretariat.
Earlier, Malala had raised concerns about the United Opposition appointing senior leaders instead of younger people.
Gachagua, however defended the move, saying there was a need to balance the senior leader and younger generation.
The former Deputy President said that in the United Opposition Secretariat has a lot of Generation Z and there is a need for balance.
In a statement on X, Malala said he fully supports the decision by DCP Party Leader and the summit leadership to appoint Kituyi.
“I fully support my party leader and the summit leadership in integrating the elderly for experience and youth for valour, energy and creativity,” he said.
“I however remain steadfast advocating for youthful leadership because youth is what propels nations.”
However, Gachagua said he had spoken to Malala and advised the party deputy to support the integration of the elderly and the young leaders.
"The other day we appointed Mukhisa Kituyi to help us, and my deputy Malala a capable young and good leader who helps me a lot, but he raised concerns that we chose an older person to lead the secretariat and it should be young people only to be given such opportunities,” Gachagua said.
“No, we have plenty of Gen Z and Millennial leaders who are doing a great job. We must look for one person who has the experience to guide and mentor them.”
Kituyi's appointment was made Wednesday evening by Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka via social media post.
He is an academic giant who served as the secretary general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 2013 to 2021.
He was previously Kenya's Minister of Trade and Industry from 2002 to 2007 and was the Chief Executive of the Kenya Institute of Governance.
The United Opposition brings together six political parties under one umbrella.
The coalition is made up of the Democracy for the Citizens Party, led by Gachagua; the Wiper Patriotic Front party, under Kalonzo Musyoka; the People’s Liberation Party, led by Martha Karua; the Democratic Action Party–Kenya, headed by Eugene Wamalwa; the Democratic Party, under Justin Muturi; and the Jubilee Party, which is represented by its chairman Torome Saitoti with the backing of former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
