Cracks Emerge in Opposition as Wiper MP Makau Accuses Gachagua of Disrespecing Kalonzo
Mavoko, Kenya — June 2, 2025 — Tensions within Kenya’s opposition coalition are mounting as Mavoko Member of Parliament Patrick Makau launched a scathing attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of undermining Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and destabilizing the unity of the alliance. The growing discord signals a potential unraveling of the opposition’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a public forum in Mavoko on Monday, Makau condemned Gachagua—now the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP)—for what he termed as “a gross display of disrespect” during a recent political rally. According to Makau, Gachagua openly criticized Wiper MPs, including himself, for skipping a meeting held at Kalonzo Musyoka’s residence in Tseikuru.
“I am deeply disappointed to see a respected leader, who says he wants to lead Kenya, behaving in such a condescending manner,” Makau stated. “For him to insult me in front of the Wiper party leader and constituents was a great show of disrespect not just to me, but to the party and its leadership.”
Makau’s remarks sparked immediate reactions among his supporters in Mavoko, where residents took to the streets chanting slogans and waving placards demanding that Gachagua apologize and show respect to elected leaders. The public display of discontent highlights growing grassroots frustrations that threaten to spill into wider political instability within the opposition.
The Mavoko MP went further, accusing Gachagua of harboring a personal grudge stemming from a parliamentary vote that contributed to Gachagua’s ouster from the deputy presidency. Makau revealed that he supported the motion for Gachagua’s impeachment due to the government’s handling of demolitions in Mavoko.
“Gachagua has never forgiven me for that vote,” Makau alleged. “But he knows very well why I took that stand. I spoke to him about the demolitions and what he told me then was unacceptable. If that vote were held again tomorrow, I would still vote for him to go home.”
Makau also painted Gachagua as a divisive figure with authoritarian tendencies, accusing him of exploiting political platforms to humiliate fellow leaders and sow discord within the opposition. “You can’t come to someone’s home and start badmouthing their son. It shows a complete lack of respect—not just for me, but for the party, its leadership, and the people who elected us,” he added.
The altercation underscores deeper fissures within the opposition alliance, which once presented a united front with the aim of challenging President William Ruto in the upcoming elections. The coalition, comprising parties such as Wiper, ODM, and other affiliated groups, now appears increasingly fractured by competing ambitions, mistrust, and unresolved grievances.
While the coalition’s top leadership has yet to comment formally on the unfolding dispute, political analysts warn that the conflict between Makau and Gachagua could have broader implications. With key figures now trading accusations in public, there are growing concerns that the coalition’s internal mechanisms for resolving disputes are either ineffective or have broken down entirely.
“This is no longer about personal disagreements,” said political commentator David Mwangi. “When elected leaders begin to air their grievances in public rallies and constituents take to the streets in protest, it’s clear that the alliance is facing a structural crisis.”
As of Tuesday morning, Gachagua had not issued a formal response to Makau’s accusations. His silence has fueled further speculation about the depth of the rift and whether reconciliation is still possible.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, pressure is mounting on the opposition to restore unity and focus. However, if recent developments are any indication, the road to cohesion may prove increasingly difficult as political egos and unresolved disputes threaten to derail the coalition’s ambitions.
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Cracks Emerge in Opposition as Wiper MP Makau Accuses Gachagua of Disrespecing Kalonzo