NAIROBI, Kenya- Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi and Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) leader Lenny Kivuti have rejected calls by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for opposition parties to dissolve and merge into the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), insisting that political cooperation does not require parties to surrender their identities.
Addressing a joint press conference on Tuesday, the three leaders reaffirmed their commitment to opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General Election but maintained that collaboration should be built on mutual respect, consultation and institutional independence.
Munya urged Gachagua to pursue structured engagement with like-minded political parties rather than pushing for their dissolution, arguing that durable political alliances are founded on equality and trust.
“We call upon Honourable Gachagua to embrace structured dialogue, consultation and respectful engagement among all like-minded political parties,” Munya said.
He said strong coalitions are built by respecting each party’s autonomy instead of requiring partners to abandon their political identities.
“Durable political partnerships are built on equality, trust and respect for institutional autonomy,” he said.
Munya questioned the logic of encouraging parties to invest in expanding their grassroots structures while simultaneously asking them to fold into another political outfit.
“It is worth noting that we cannot pretend to be growing our parties while simultaneously locking out others to own specific regions,” he said.
While stressing that they have no disagreement with DCP or its leadership, Munya said Kenyans should remain free to support political parties of their choice without coercion or intimidation.
“While we have no differences with our partners in DCP, it is necessary to make our communities feel comfortable, secure and free to make political choices,” he said.
He warned against creating an environment where joining one political party is celebrated while affiliation with another attracts criticism.
“We must stop threatening those of diverse backgrounds and beliefs about our political standing to grow our democracy. It cannot be that one is praised for joining DCP but criticised for joining another party,” Munya added.
The leaders’ remarks come in response to repeated calls by Gachagua urging political leaders, particularly those from the Mt Kenya region, to dissolve their parties and unite under DCP as the region’s primary political vehicle ahead of the 2027 elections.
Since DCP’s victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, Gachagua has intensified his campaign to position the party as the dominant political force in Mt Kenya, arguing that a single party would strengthen the opposition’s chances of unseating President William Ruto.
The former Deputy President has announced plans for DCP to field candidates in all 47 counties, targeting at least 20 governors, 20 senators, 145 Members of Parliament and 720 Members of County Assembly.
He has also encouraged aspiring leaders across the country to join DCP, promising transparent party nominations and pointing to the Ol Kalou by-election outcome as evidence of the party’s growing national support.
However, Munya, Muturi and Kivuti maintained that opposition unity should be anchored on cooperation among independent political parties rather than the absorption of existing parties into a single outfit.
