What was once seen as a formidable alliance to challenge incumbent President William Ruto in the 2027 elections is now showing cracks, as simmering tensions between Rigathi Gachagua and Fred Matiang’i spill into the open.
The two former power brokers — Gachagua, once Ruto’s deputy, and Matiang’i, the former Interior minister under Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency— are now on opposite ends of an unfolding political storm that threatens to fracture the opposition before it can even take shape.
At the falcrum of their dispute lies a battle for control, relevance, and ideological direction. Gachagua, now at the helm of the newly formed Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has dismissed hotel-based political meetings as empty talk, insisting that real power is built among ordinary citizens at the grassroots.
“No president is made in a hotel room,” Gachagua declared at DCP headquarters in Nairobi. “You win elections by meeting people, not by sharing photos online and calling yourself ‘the Sixth President.’”
Rigy G’s remarks were widely interpreted as a thinly veiled jab at Matiang’i, who has been courting the Jubilee Party in his recent political engagements. (Matiang’i has seldom held political meetings in an open arena, like in a field or stadium, which makes him be seen at the target for Gachagua’s attack).
Gachagua’s comments also revealed a growing impatience with what he sees as elitist politics detached from the people.
But Matiang’i was quick to hit back. Skipping a United Opposition rally in Kajiado, he instead met youth groups in Nakuru, where he reaffirmed his loyalty to Jubilee — and his right to choose political allies freely.
“No one can dictate which party I should join,” Matiang’i said. “Jubilee is rebuilding, and I’m proud to be part of that journey.”
His tone suggested a quiet defiance, not just toward Gachagua but also toward those who view Jubilee as a spent force. Backed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Matiang’i appears intent on reviving Jubilee’s political machinery, particularly among the youth demography.
Meanwhile, political insiders warn that the public exchange between the two leaders could deepen ethnic and regional fault lines within the opposition. Gachagua’s suggestion that Matiang’i should “build his influence in Kisii” was seen by many as a divisive remark laced with ethnic undertones, which that undermines the broader unity agenda.
Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has accused Gachagua of “double-dealing,” alleging that he has been in secret contact with President Ruto — a claim Gachagua has unequivocally brushed aside.
“Only DCP rallies are being disrupted because Ruto knows we are the real threat,” Gachagua said in defense.
Political analysts say the rivalry reflects a deeper problem within Kenya’s opposition: a lack of shared vision. With Jubilee trying to rebuild, DCP seeking dominance, and Wiper, Narc-Kenya, and DAP-K sitting on the fence, the dream of fielding a single presidential candidate seems increasingly farfetched.
To many observers, Gachagua is positioning himself as a populist grassroots mobilizer, while Matiang’i represents the institutional face of the old order — disciplined, technocratic, but perhaps out of touch with the muddy political mood that charactirises Kenya.
“Their conflict isn’t just personal,” notes one political analyst. “It’s a reflection of Kenya’s wider political dilemma — between populism and structured reform, between the politics of the street and the politics of the boardroom.”
Gachagua is considered to belong to the politics of the streets, while Matiang’i is deemed to fit in elitist politics.
As 2027 draws closer, one thing is clear: the opposition’s greatest threat may not be Ruto’s machinery — but its own inability to stay united.
“This journey will test our maturity, our inclusiveness, and our resilience,” Matiang’i said — a statement that now feels more like a warning than an assurance.
