Political analyst Herman Manyora has dismissed allegations by Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is secretly working with President William Ruto, describing the claims as baseless and politically reckless.
Kioni had earlier suggested that Gachagua, while publicly projecting himself as part of the opposition, was behind the scenes in league with the president. But Manyora insists such a scenario is nearly impossible, given Gachagua’s carefully cultivated image as Mount Kenya’s political kingpin and his bitter fallout with Ruto.
“That is nonsense – absolute nonsense. It’s not possible; it’s difficult because where Gachagua has reached in these matters, where will he hide? Where will he walk among his Mount Kenya people if they realise he is secretly working with the president? Where will he hide? It is impossible,” Manyora said.
The escalating war of words comes in the wake of Gachagua’s recent trip to the United States, where he accused Kioni of being an agent of the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Kioni fired back, claiming the impeached-DP has been attempting to intimidate former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i into leaving Jubilee and forming a Kisii-based party that would negotiate separately with the opposition.
A Larger Political Risk
While the spat between Kioni and Gachagua has dominated headlines in recent days, Manyora’s caution points to a deeper political concern: the opposition’s credibility.
According to Manyora, public squabbles within the United Opposition not only project weakness but also strengthen Ruto’s hand as he watches his rivals waste energy in internal fights.
“These childish games they have begun engaging in are being watched from State House, and Ruto is just enjoying it. I don’t think Kenyans are happy with them. They should stop those games. If there are issues, they should resolve them behind the curtains,” he warned.
The Mount Kenya Factor
Beyond opposition unity, the clash also highlights the precarious politics of Mount Kenya. Gachagua has positioned himself as the region’s political kingpin since falling out with Ruto, rallying residents against the president’s leadership. Any suggestion that he might “sell out” would likely backfire, eroding his grassroots support.
Analysts argue that Kioni’s remarks may not just be about exposing a supposed deal but could also be part of a broader battle for influence in the vote-rich region, where both Jubilee and Gachagua seek dominance ahead of the 2027 elections.
Outlook
With Jubilee accusing the United Opposition of sidelining them and Gachagua trading barbs with former allies, the opposition faces a bigger challenge than just rumours — the task of presenting a united, credible alternative to Ruto’s administration.
