Peter Munya Brands Gachagua a ‘Bully’ as Opposition Rift Deepens Ahead of 2027 Race
Fresh cracks have emerged within Kenya’s Opposition coalition after Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya launched a scathing attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of political intimidation, disrespect towards fellow leaders and exhibiting what he described as authoritarian leadership tendencies.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday night, the former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary said Gachagua’s style of politics risked undermining efforts to build a broad-based Opposition capable of challenging President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Munya claimed the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader had developed a reputation for belittling colleagues, arguing that respect and inclusivity were essential if Opposition leaders hoped to unite behind a common agenda.
“Gachagua is a bully. You saw when he talked about the Governor of Murang’a, calling him ‘kiherehere’, and the governor was attacked by goons when he went to Ol Kalou. We think he needs to act more responsibly when dealing with leaders and all human beings. Use your language more courteously, and you’ll go further than you have gone,” Munya said.
His remarks add to growing tensions among leaders seeking to consolidate support ahead of the next general election, with disagreements increasingly surfacing over strategy, leadership and regional influence.
Munya further urged the former Deputy President to adopt a more conciliatory approach, saying political alliances could only thrive where leaders treated one another with dignity and mutual respect.
“Humble yourself and address other people with respect. Embrace a structured way of dealing with issues. Look at Meru. Apart from Kiambu and Nyeri, we are one of the biggest voting blocs in the region and, as such, you should not dismiss us and start treating us as children,” he added.
The PNU leader also accused Gachagua of sidelining influential leaders from the Mt Kenya region despite their significant electoral strength, warning that dismissing key voting blocs could weaken the Opposition’s chances in 2027.
Although Munya acknowledged that Gachagua remains one of the region’s most influential politicians, he rejected suggestions that the former Deputy President is the undisputed Mt Kenya political kingpin.
According to Munya, no individual holds such an official position, adding that political leadership should be earned through consensus rather than declarations.
He also poured cold water on Gachagua’s presidential ambitions, saying he would not support a candidature that, in his view, reflected leadership traits many Kenyans had grown weary of.
The latest criticism comes just days after Gachagua criticised PNU’s performance during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, claiming the party managed only 28 votes because it had failed to mount an effective campaign.
The exchange also follows another recent disagreement after Gachagua urged smaller Opposition parties to dissolve and join his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), arguing that a single political vehicle would strengthen efforts to unseat President William Ruto.
Although Gachagua later clarified that his remarks had been misunderstood and insisted he was advocating unity rather than forcing parties to fold, the proposal was met with resistance from several leaders, particularly within the Mt Kenya region.
Munya’s remarks further underscore the growing divisions within the Opposition, where questions over leadership, coalition-building and the selection of a possible 2027 presidential flagbearer continue to generate public disagreements.
His comments also come amid increasing criticism of Gachagua’s leadership style, with Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi recently urging the former Deputy President to stop intimidating leaders into supporting his political agenda.
As political realignments gather pace ahead of the 2027 elections, the escalating public exchanges suggest the battle for influence within the Opposition is becoming just as intense as its campaign against the Kenya Kwanza administration.
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