Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka/FILEFormer Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka are set to shape the country’s politics in 2025 as they plan a mega alliance.
The duo’s camps have rolled out elaborate plans for a possible coalition to face off with President William Ruto in the 2027 polls.
The alliance is likely to take shape in 2025 as they plot a major political movement that insiders say seeks to make Ruto a one-term president.
Main opposition?
With former Prime Minister Raila Odinga expected to shift his focus to the home stretch of his campaigns for the African Union Commission chairperson, Gachagua and Kalonzo will intensify political activities.
The alliance, which is tipped to become the country’s main opposition outfit, will also include DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa and other Azimio leaders who have fallen out with Raila.
A technical committee formed by Gachagua and Kalonzo will be seeking to firm up the plans for an alliance in the New Year.
Each side is reportedly represented by four members in the initial technical committee stitching together a partnership arrangement that will birth a mega political machine for the 2027 polls.
The team that is at the moment working discretely to explore options that will see Gachagua team up with Kalonzo and Wamalwa to build a formidable machine for the 2027 polls will be unveiled next year.
“We have our teams, and the former deputy president has his team, and it is a work in progress,’’ Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said, without revealing the nitty-gritty of the process.
Gachagua was this year replaced as the UDA deputy party leader, with plans afoot to eject him from the ruling party following his removal from office by impeachment.
Plans to register a party?
Credible reports indicate that Gachagua is exploring some options, including either acquiring an already registered party or registering a fresh one before joining forces with the opposition leaders.
Some insiders say the former DP could settle on an existing political party, with the former ruling Jubilee party among those being mentioned as his possible vehicles.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is the leader of the Jubilee Party despite past efforts to kick him out from the helm.
Uhuru is said to have thawed his relationship with President Ruto following Gachagua’s ouster as the second in command.
With Mount Kenya hostile to Kenya Kwnaza, there are plans by state strategists to have the former head of state cross ranks with President Ruto in a move to neutralize Gachagua.
It is also said that there is a strong push to have Gachagua reconcile with Uhuru ahead of the 2027 polls.
While the ongoing talks for a coalition with the Azimio leader are a work in progress, politicians involved in the negotiations are also executing an elaborate strategy to ensure Gachagua’s relevance in his Mount Kenya region.
Part of the strategy includes having Gachagua attend regular church services across the region, in areas strategically selected to give maximum impact.
The former DP is also attending funeral services across his Mount Kenya backyard, using the platforms to respond to his critics and reassure his support bases.
Gachagua’s allies have also retreated and are careful not to attack his successor, Kithure Kindiki, to avoid being involved in an alleged plot to divide the Mount Kenya region, it is now emerging.
In Gachagua's camp, there is a feeling that the elevation of Kindiki is part of a scheme by state strategists to split the region into East and West ahead of the 2027 polls.
Kindiki, who hails from Mount Kenya East, was swiftly sworn in to take over from Gachagua, who was hounded out of office through impeachment.
Gachagua’s allies have vowed to support Kindiki as Mount Kenya’s senior-most representative in government following the former’s ouster, insisting they won’t accept the region being divided.
They, however, argue that they have a problem with only those who scheme to divide the Mount Kenya region.
“We have no issues with Professor Kindiki. I dare say he is a nice, humble, and dedicated son from Mount Kenya. We wish him well; our issue is exclusively with those using him in a divide and rule plot, those who want him submissive and with no voice for himself and us,’’ said Nyandarua senator John Methu.
“Even if Kindiki called us for a consultative meeting as Mount Kenya leaders, we would go. Even if invited by Gachagua, we would also go because we do not begrudge him.”
At the same time, the former DP’s strategists are working on his messaging to ensure it does not upset his supporters or unnecessarily attract the fury of state machinery.
Gachagua this year lifted the lid on his 2027 plans when he called on his Mt Kenya base, including Gen Zs to obtain national ID cards and register as voters awaiting his signal.
There have been talks
In a telling message, Gachagua reassured his supporters, saying he has been in talks with religious leaders, business figures, and professionals to strategize for the future.
“I’m talking to a lot of people, and when the time is right, I will tell you. We will share our plans and listen to your input to ensure we never face similar challenges again,” he said, hinting at a potential return to the political arena.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi—another Kalonzo close ally—talked of ongoing plans to unveil the outfit as soon as early next year.
According to Mwangangi, the new political outfit will be bigger than Azimio with a diverse membership, including notable figures from Mt Kenya.
“It is bigger than Azimio, we are moving very fast. We must be ready early in terms of having our candidate and the party,” Mwangangi said.
“We want every Kenyan to be part of the new vehicle to transform the country, everybody is welcomed Gachagua included.”
The former DP feels betrayed by his former boss who reportedly engineered his removal, while Azimio principals are angered by Raila following his deal with the government.
The move comes months after Martha Karua’s Narc Kenya quit Azimio.
Uhuru’s
Jubilee and Peter Munya’s PNU have also signalled plans to ditch the Azimio outfit, hinting a new alignments in the New Year.
“Our stay in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition is not tenable due to the prevailing political developments,” Narc-Kenya said.
“They [ODM] have said they want to be in the government, and for some of us who want to be in the opposition, we must bolt out so that we can continue fighting for the people of Kenya,” Munya said in July.
Speaking in Kitale in November, Kalonzo and Eugene said they were also on their way out of the coalition.
“A good idea always gives way to a better idea. What we are thinking about is a better idea. We are looking ahead and we are very consultative,” the Wiper boss said.
However, Kalonzo added that if all goes well, Azimio could be part of the new coalition that will also bring onboard Gachagua.
“If we come up with a new outfit, it could even incorporate perhaps Azimio itself, so that is how focused we are,” he said.
