NAIROBI, Kenya- Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua and People’s National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya appeared to put aside their recent political differences after meeting at the Twine Cietu Meru cultural festival in Kasarani on Saturday night.
The two former government officials joined revellers on stage, dancing to traditional Meru songs during the cultural event before exchanging messages emphasising unity among the people of the Mt Kenya region.
Munya described the encounter as a meeting of the “Sons of the soil” before declaring: “The Mountain is ONE and the resolve in #Wantam.”
Gachagua, who served as Deputy President under President William Ruto, also shared photographs of his encounter with Munya and described him as his “brother.”
“What a great evening with my brothers and sisters from Meru during the ‘Twine Cietu’ festival,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President said the event brought back memories of his late mother’s homeland and provided an opportunity to celebrate Meru culture and heritage.
He also paid tribute to Mau Mau freedom fighters associated with the region, including Field Marshal Mwariama, Field Marshal Baimungi, General Ruku and General Nkobia.
“It was my pleasure catching up with my brother Hon. Peter Munya,” Gachagua said.
From Political Attacks to Unity Message
The public display of unity comes only days after Munya sharply criticised Gachagua during an interview on Citizen TV.
Munya accused the former Deputy President of being a bully and said he would not support Gachagua if he emerged as the opposition’s presidential flagbearer.
The disagreement followed Gachagua’s position that opposition parties should first consolidate their individual voter bases before beginning discussions on coalition arrangements ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua has repeatedly called for unity among Mt Kenya political parties, while maintaining that opposition parties should build their grassroots support before negotiating who should lead a possible coalition.
Azimio Interest in DCP
The political developments have unfolded against the backdrop of efforts to bring Gachagua’s DCP into a broader opposition alliance.
The Azimio coalition, associated with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has been courting opposition parties as political formations position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
DCP, however, has maintained that it is not currently committing itself to joining Azimio or another coalition.
DCP National Organising Secretary Mithika Linturi said earlier that the party would concentrate on looking for votes rather than joining a coalition “at the moment.”
The position reflects Gachagua’s broader argument that opposition parties should first consolidate their support before deciding on coalition arrangements.
Despite the political differences, Gachagua and Munya’s interaction at the cultural festival offered a different picture, with the two leaders publicly embracing their shared Meru heritage.
Their meeting is likely to attract political attention as Mt Kenya parties continue efforts to position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
The Twine Cietu festival, which brought together members of the Meru community for cultural celebrations, provided the setting for the unexpected encounter between the two political leaders.
For Gachagua and Munya, the message from Kasarani was clear: whatever their political differences, their latest public appearance was centred on a shared identity and a call for regional unity.
