Opposition wrangles deepen after DCP disowns ‘joint’ rallies in Meru and Isiolo

Cracks appear to be widening within the opposition after a much-hyped political tour of Isiolo and Meru counties was abruptly called off amid claims of internal sabotage.

The rallies, which had been scheduled to run from May 20 to May 24, were expected to mark a major show of force by the opposition team, with organisers planning at least 22 stopovers across the two counties.

This was the first time the team was planning major rallies in the absence of DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua left the country on Friday last week for London.

The tour, heavily publicised for weeks, however, ran into turbulence barely hours before it was scheduled to start after DCP organising secretary Mithika Linturi publicly disowned the programme and urged supporters to stay away.

Linturi’s unexpected rebuke exposed widening cracks within the team, particularly between DCP and allies of Peter Munya, the PNU party leader who had convened the tour.

In a statement issued a day before the planned rallies, Linturi told supporters to keep off the meetings scheduled to take place across Isiolo and Meru counties.

“This is in reference to a poster I have seen circulating on social media in regard to attendance of my party leader to the PNU party meetings scheduled from the 20th to 24th this month. For avoidance of doubt, I am the national organising secretary of DCP, charged with the responsibilities of organising all party activities and events where my party leader is involved,” Linturi said in a statement.

“As far as I'm concerned, my party leader is busy in the United Kingdom, attending diaspora meetings to popularise our party. I therefore urge all our party supporters to ignore this misleading information and keep off.”

The former Cabinet secretary insisted the rallies were neither sanctioned by DCP nor agreed upon by all opposition principals.

The fallout comes amid growing unease within Gachagu-led DCP over PNU’s recent endorsement of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i for the presidency, a move that reportedly rattled the former DP's camp.

In a last-minute announcement, Munya postponed the rallies, citing the ongoing nationwide fuel protests and the ongoing negotiations that are expected to take one week.

Munya said the rallies will now happen from Thursday, June 4, through to Monday, June 8, 2026.

“In solidarity with the people of Kenya who are suffering, we have decided to reschedule our united opposition rallies," he said.

“It is unfortunate, but we think we need to give time for those negotiations that are ongoing to resolve the issue of fuel prices.”

However, insiders within the opposition ranks say the cancellation points to a confirmation of deepening political differences and silent power struggles.

Political observers also link the friction to the escalating rivalry between Munya and Linturi over the Meru gubernatorial seat ahead of the next elections.

The two leaders, both influential figures in the Mt Kenya East region, have lately been reading from different political scripts despite attempts by opposition chiefs to project unity.

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo read political differences between Munya and Linturi even as he confirmed that the Wiper party had other pre-scheduled plans.

“They are competing with Linturi. That is not united opposition, that is one party which wants to do its thing,” Maanzo said of the postponed rally.

The senator also said Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka is not available this week, meaning he would not have been available for the botched rally.

“Kalonzo is doing his documentary this week, and he will be back on the campaign trail from Saturday,” Maanzo told the Star.