Cold war, popularity and fame!
Kibagendi wrote:
“They say you can judge the quality of a leader by the calibre of people he surrounds himself with. Niccolò Machiavelli made a similar observation in relation to assessing the intelligence and character of a king. I will not dwell too much on that philosophy, but I believe it is relevant to the political moment we find ourselves in.
I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: Rigathi Gachagua is currently the greatest impediment to the unity of the opposition. His conduct has consistently demonstrated that he is more interested in division than collaboration and more comfortable with confrontation than consensus-building. He has positioned himself as though he has a monopoly on speaking about the challenges facing Kenyans. The truth, however, is that much of what he says has been said by many of us for a long time. The difference is merely that he chooses louder and often more inflammatory language. There is very little that is fundamentally new in his message.
During his tour of Kiambu County yesterday, Gachagua failed to articulate a single substantive policy issue that he would handle differently if given the opportunity to form the next government. Instead, he and his surrogates spent considerable time attacking H.E. Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Senator Richard Onyonka and myself. That, to me, is a clear indication of a political movement struggling to define itself beyond personalities and hostility towards fellow members of the opposition.
What is even more troubling is the myopia demonstrated by Gachagua and some of his surrogates. They speak as though they have the authority to determine who will become President or head of government in 2027. Their posture suggests that the Kenyan people are merely spectators in a process that belongs to them. Unfortunately, some of his closest allies, particularly people such as Hon. Karungo Thangwa and Senator Nyutu, appear unwilling to tell their leader when he is wrong. Instead, they continue cheering him on even when his politics are taking him down a destructive path. Leadership requires the courage to disagree with your own side when the truth demands it.
Whenever anyone challenges their narrative, their standard response is that the person has been “bought by Kasongo.” That is not an argument; it is an excuse to avoid engaging with uncomfortable truths. Let me therefore be very clear: I do not mince my words, and I will continue to tell Gachagua the truth. I will equally correct my leader, Dr. Matiang’i, whenever I believe he is wrong. Those who know me understand that this is not a new trait. Even when I worked with the current President, I spoke my mind. There were moments when people wondered how I found the courage to challenge him openly. I have always believed that loyalty to a leader should never require surrendering one’s conscience.
Kenyans should also be concerned about the dangerous politics of compartmentalising our country along ethnic and regional lines. Gachagua appears to suggest that presidential candidates and political parties should restrict themselves to popularising their politics only in the regions from which they originate. He speaks as though he owns Mt. Kenya and no other Kenyan leader should freely engage with its people. That is not the Kenya envisioned by our Constitution.
Let me remind Riggy G that the votes William Ruto received in the Mt. Kenya region in 2022 were the product of a concerted effort by many individuals and political actors. The political mobilisation against President Uhuru Kenyatta began long before Gachagua became the dominant voice he is today. Hon. Alice Wahome, Hon. Moses Kuria, Hon. Ndindi Nyoro, WaMaua and many others played significant roles in that mobilisation. At the time, Gachagua was hardly the central figure he later became.
It was at a later stage that some of us, including myself, David Mugonyi and Korir Sing’oei, recognised that Gachagua had developed into a particularly effective communicator. We advised William Ruto that whenever he visited Mt. Kenya or any area with a significant population from the region, Gachagua should accompany him. We went as far as ensuring that he travelled with the President and that his speaking opportunities were properly coordinated. We understood the political value of his communication style at the time.
But Kenya has changed, and Kenyans are much more conscious of the dangers of political tribalism. I do not believe this country will allow itself to be remotely controlled by one individual through the politics of ethnic mobilisation and regional gatekeeping. Political parties will inevitably have strongholds, but there is absolutely no justification for reducing Matiang’i to merely a Gusii leader or Sifuna to merely a Luhya leader. They are Kenyan leaders with a national political constituency, just as Gachagua should be a national leader rather than a self-appointed political gatekeeper of Mt. Kenya.
It is therefore deeply troubling that Gachagua would tell members of Linda Mwananchi not to step into Meru County and become visibly angry whenever Matiang’i visits parts of Mt. Kenya. Whenever we insist on engaging with the people of the region, his response is to label us “Kasongo moles.” That is not the politics of inclusion; it is the politics of exclusion.
The reality is that many of the opposition figures aspiring to the presidency have yet to demonstrate a comprehensive national track record. Dr. Fred Matiang’i stands out because of his work ethic, his record of performance and the transformations associated with the various ministries he served. His repeated endorsement by former President Uhuru Kenyatta has also strengthened his standing among many voters in the Mt. Kenya region. When Gachagua and his political allies realised that Matiang’i was gaining traction, they resorted to a campaign of smear and intimidation, including the so-called “Wamunyoro consultative forums”, through which attempts were made to influence opinion leaders against him.
We have also heard Gachagua tell his supporters that he does not believe he would be able to control Matiang’i if he became President, describing him as hard-headed. That statement reveals more about Gachagua’s understanding of leadership than it does about Matiang’i. Do Kenyans want a President who can be controlled by an individual, or do they want a President who will independently serve the nation, uphold the Constitution and unite all Kenyans?
The Presidency of Kenya is not a personal possession to be negotiated between political brokers. It is a constitutional office entrusted to an individual by the Kenyan people. No individual, no matter how influential, should imagine that he can determine who leads this country or that he can demand political positions, businesses or other privileges by claiming ownership of a particular ethnic or regional vote.
Let me therefore tell Rigathi Gachagua and his reckless political surrogates: we will not be intimidated, bullied or pushed into submission. We will continue to challenge antagonism wherever we see it. He can call us moles; he can call us whatever names he chooses. I will continue to speak the truth and tell him, plainly and unequivocally, to stop the nonsense and desist from sending his MPs and bloggers to insult Matiang’i and other leaders.
Finally, I want to address another deeply disturbing matter. There are growing concerns about what appears to be an emerging scheme involving individuals associated with State House. In their desperation, and apparently recognising the political difficulties facing the current administration, there are allegations that operatives within the regime may be contemplating exploiting the disagreements within the opposition to target some of us physically and subsequently attempt to attribute such acts to Gachagua and his allies.
Let me be unequivocal: we are aware of these concerns, and we are watching closely. Those who may be contemplating such reckless actions should know that Kenyans are watching too. We will not be intimidated into abandoning our political cause or our commitment to democratic change.
Our ultimate focus remains clear: to unite Kenyans, defeat the rogue and oppressive regime led by William Ruto through the ballot in 2027, and build a government that respects the Constitution, protects citizens and serves every Kenyan regardless of ethnicity, region or political affiliation.
Kenya belongs to all of us. No individual, no political faction and no ethnic bloc has the right to claim ownership of this country.”
