Uhuru hints at opposition alliance with Rigathi in war against Ruto
Uhuru called for opposition unity to deliver the leadership the people want.
by LUKE AWICH AND GERMAINE AUMA
Audio By Vocalize
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua/X
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday hinted at the
possibility of a major opposition alliance with a faction led by ex-Deputy
President Rigathi Gachagua.
The signals emerged when the two leaders met in a burial in
Kirinyaga, their first since the 2022 inauguration when Gachagua, then newly
sworn-in Deputy President, took a swipe at the outgoing head of state for
running down the country.
However, during the Wednesday encounter during the burial of
former Senator Daniel Karaba, the two appeared cordial and at ease, a stark
contrast to their previously frosty relations.
Their body language suggested the three-year-old animosity
may be easing, signaling possible political rapprochement.
Addressing mourners, Uhuru called for opposition unity to
deliver the leadership the people want.
Uhuru urged the united opposition to unite and continue to hold
on to what "he is hearing the ground say".
Gesturing and echoing what is now the DCP party symbol of
holding the ear and listening to the ground slogan, Uhuru urged the people of the
region to remain where they are.
“Whoever you elect, that’s your choice. I will still be
there at Ichaweri. But if you make another mistake, that will be your mess,”
Uhuru said.
“And you leaders, I beg of you to be leaders, not
politicians. That’s what the people want. They want direction and leadership to
see them to the other side.”
“I told you that
politicians have sweet words like honey. My friend Karaba stood by me despite
the wave, which was being led by Riggy G here.”
The former head of state appealed directly to Mt Kenya
residents to critically evaluate the leaders and make informed decisions in
future elections, warning against being swayed by rhetoric.
Gachagua talked of a scheme by state agents to divide the
mountain and put a wedge between him and Uhuru, whom he said he has worked with
for 20 years.
“Let our detractors know that nobody will divide this
mountain and nobody will come between President Uhuru Kenyatta and us,”
Gachagua said.
“The fact that we gave you (Ruto) votes does not mean you
know us. I have worked with Uhuru for 20 years, and he (Ruto) came between us, and we became ‘enemies. for three years. You don’t know us.”
The burial was also attended by Wiper leader Kalonzo
Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Justin Muturi (DP), Martha Karua (PLP), Fred
Matiang’i (Jubilee) and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
According to Uhuru, meeting the united opposition team was a
coincidence, but he urged them to remain united.
“I came from Ichaweri to bury my friend Karaba. I won’t
speak a lot because if I do, I will be told it’s me who brought all these
people (opposition leaders) together here,” Uhuru said.
“I thought Kalonzo would be in Ukambani. I was watching him
on TV. I thought my brother Wamunyoro wouldn’t be here. I thought I would be
alone.”
Uhuru spoke even as the leaders aligned to the opposition
declared their intention to close ranks and front a single presidential candidate in
the 2027 General Election, in what they described as a decisive strategy to
unseat President William Ruto.
In a rare meeting of the opposition and Uhuru, the leaders
cautioned that no amount of political scheming will see them disintegrate.
Speaking at a joint political rally, the opposition figures
said they had learned from past electoral missteps and would avoid a repeat of
the divisions that characterised the 2022 race.
They maintained that unity will be their strongest weapon against
the incumbent, vowing to rally behind one among them once a consensus is
reached.
“In 2002, the opposition didn’t disintegrate, and they formed the
government. Let us follow the 2002 pattern, let us remain united and refuse to
be divided,” Eugene said.
“We must put our ambition behind us and prioritise Kenya;
failure to which we will all sink. May the best person be the flag bearer of
the united opposition,” added PLP boss Karua.
The leaders also turned their focus to the vote-rich Mt
Kenya region, urging residents to heed the counsel of their local political
leaders and avoid what they termed as a costly political mistake in the last
election.
Orengo said the region refused to listen to Uhuru in 2022
and overwhelmingly voted for Ruto thus plunging the country into a governance
mess.
According to Orengo, the region’s voting pattern in 2022
played a pivotal role in securing Ruto’s narrow win, and a shift in allegiance
could prove decisive in the next contest.
“If you had listened to Uhuru, we would not have been in
this mess. I think sometimes it is good to listen,” Orengo who also attended
the burial in Kirinyaga said.
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